Methods and compositions for degrading cellulosic material

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to enzyme compositions comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more cellulolytic proteins and their use in the degradation or conversion of cellulosic material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/612,401, filed Nov. 4, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/116,605, filed Nov. 20, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/174,221, filed Apr. 30, 2009, which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

This application contains a Sequence Listing in computer readable form. The computer readable form is incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCE TO A DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

This application contains a reference to a deposit of biological material, which deposit is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to enzyme compositions and methods of degrading or converting cellulosic material with the enzyme compositions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cellulose is a polymer of the simple sugar glucose linked by beta-1,4 bonds. Many microorganisms produce enzymes that hydrolyze beta-linked glucans. These enzymes include endoglucanases, cellobiohydrolases, and beta-glucosidases. Endoglucanases digest the cellulose polymer at random locations, opening it to attack by cellobiohydrolases. Cellobiohydrolases sequentially release molecules of cellobiose from the ends of the cellulose polymer. Cellobiose is a water-soluble beta-1,4-linked dimer of glucose. Beta-glucosidases hydrolyze cellobiose to glucose.

The conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks into ethanol has the advantages of the ready availability of large amounts of feedstock, the desirability of avoiding burning or land filling the materials, and the cleanliness of the ethanol fuel. Wood, agricultural residues, herbaceous crops, and municipal solid wastes have been considered as feedstocks for ethanol production. These materials primarily consist of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Once the cellulose is converted to glucose, the glucose is easily fermented by yeast into ethanol.

There is a need in the art to improve cellulolytic protein compositions through supplementation with additional enzymes to increase efficiency and to provide cost-effective enzyme solutions for degradation of lignocellulose.

WO 2004/056981 discloses a partial cellobiohydrolase from Myceliophthera thermophila. WO 2008/008070 discloses a cellobiohydrolase from Chrysosporium lucknowense. WO 94/021785 discloses a Family 10 xylanase from Aspergillus aculeatus. Ustinov et al., 2008, Enzyme and Microbial Technology 43: 56-65, disclose a Family 10 xylanase from Myceliophthera thermophila.

The present invention relates to improved enzyme compositions for degrading or converting cellulosic material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to enzyme compositions comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase, wherein one or both of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins.

The present invention also relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material, comprising: treating the cellulosic material with an enzyme composition comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase, wherein one or both of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins.

The present invention also relates to methods for producing a fermentation product, comprising:

(a) saccharifying a cellulosic material with an enzyme composition comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase, wherein one or both of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins;

(b) fermenting the saccharified cellulosic material with one or more (several) fermenting microorganisms; and

(c) recovering the fermentation product from the fermentation.

The present invention also relates to methods of fermenting a cellulosic material, comprising: fermenting the cellulosic material with one or more (several) fermenting microorganisms, wherein the cellulosic material is saccharified with an enzyme composition comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase, wherein one or both of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins.

In one aspect, the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is a CEL6 polypeptide. In another aspect, the polypeptide having xylanase activity is a GH10 polypeptide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the effect of Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 Family 6 cellobiohydrolases II, Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Family 6 cellobiohydrolases II, or Aspergillus aculeatus Family 10 xylanase (on a 72 hour hydrolysis of PCS (5% w/v) at 50° C. by a fermentation broth of Trichoderma reesei expressing Thermoascus aurantiacus GH61A polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and an Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein. Each enzyme was added as a 20% replacement (by protein) of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition. The dotted line shows the percent conversion by 2 mg of a Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose. Enhancement of hydrolysis was demonstrated with mixtures that reach percent conversion above the dotted line at an equivalent protein loading. Error bars from triplicate measurements are shown.

FIG. 2 shows the synergistic enhancement of a 72 hour hydrolysis of PCS (5% w/v) at 50° C. by a fermentation broth of Trichoderma reesei expressing Thermoascus aurantiacus GH61A polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein in the presence of combinations of Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant) or Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native) and Aspergillus aculeatus Family 10 xylanase. The mixtures were added as 20% replacements (by protein) of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition with a 50:50 mixture of the Myceliophthora thermophila Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II and the Aspergillus aculeatus Family 10 xylanase. The dotted line shows the percent conversion by 2 mg of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose. Enhancement of hydrolysis was demonstrated with mixtures that reach percent conversion above the dotted line at an equivalent protein loading. Error bars from triplicate measurements are shown.

FIG. 3 shows the effect of Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 Family 6 cellobiohydrolase II, Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Family 6 cellobiohydrolase II, or Penicillium sp. Family 10 xylanase on a 72 hour hydrolysis of PCS (5% w/v) at 50° C. by a fermentation broth of Trichoderma reesei expressing Thermoascus aurantiacus GH61A polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein (cellulolytic protein composition). Each enzyme was added as a 20% replacement (by protein) of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition. The dotted line shows the percent conversion by 2 mg of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g cellulose loading. Enhancement of hydrolysis was demonstrated with mixtures that reach percent conversion above the dotted line at an equivalent protein loading. Error bars from triplicate measurements are shown.

FIG. 4 shows the synergistic enhancement of a 72 hour hydrolysis of PCS (5% w/v) at 50° C. by a fermentation broth of Trichoderma reesei expressing Thermoascus aurantiacus GH61A polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein (cellulolytic protein composition) in the presence of combinations of Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 Family 6 cellobiohydrolase II or Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Family 6 cellobiohydrolase II and Penicillium sp. Family 10 xylanase. The mixtures were added as 20% replacements (by protein) of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition with a 50:50 mixture of Myceliophthora thermophila Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II and Penicillium sp. xylanase. The dotted line shows the percent conversion by 2 mg of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g cellulose loading. Enhancement of hydrolysis was demonstrated with mixtures that reach percent conversion above the dotted line at an equivalent protein loading. Error bars from triplicate measurements are shown.

FIG. 5 shows the synergistic enhancement of a 72 hour hydrolysis of PCS (5% w/v) at 50° C. by a fermentation broth of Trichoderma reesei expressing Thermoascus aurantiacus GH61A polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein (cellulolytic protein composition) in the presence of combinations of Trichoderma reesei Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II or Thielavia terrestris Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II and Aspergillus aculeatus Family 10 xylanase. The mixtures were added as 10% additions (by protein) of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic enzyme preparation with Trichoderma reesei Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II, Thielavia terrestris Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II and Aspergillus aculeatus xylanase separately, or as mixtures of Trichoderma reesei Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II or Thielavia terrestris Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II and Aspergillus aculeatus xylanase. The dotted line shows the percent conversion by 2 mg of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g cellulose loading. Error bars from triplicate measurements are shown.

DEFINITIONS

Cellobiohydrolase II activity: The term “cellobiohydrolase II activity” is defined herein as a 1,4-D-glucan cellobiohydrolase (E.C. 3.2.1.91) activity that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-D-glucosidic linkages in cellulose, cellotetriose, or any beta-1,4-linked glucose containing polymer, releasing cellobiose from the non-reducing end of the chain. For purposes of the present invention, cellobiohydrolase activity is determined according to the procedures described by Lever et al., 1972, Anal. Biochem. 47: 273-279; van Tilbeurgh et al., 1982, FEBS Letters, 149: 152-156; van Tilbeurgh and Claeyssens, 1985, FEBS Letters, 187: 283-288; and Tomme et al., 1988, Eur. J. Biochem. 170: 575-581. In the present invention, the Lever et al. method can be employed to assess hydrolysis of cellulose in corn stover, while the methods of van Tilbeurgh et al. and Tomme et al. can be used to determine the cellobiohydrolase activity on a fluorescent disaccharide derivative.

Cellulolytic activity: The term “cellulolytic activity” is defined herein as a biological activity that hydrolyzes a cellulosic material. The two basic approaches for measuring cellulolytic activity include: (1) measuring the total cellulolytic activity, and (2) measuring the individual cellulolytic activities (endoglucanases, cellobiohydrolases, and beta-glucosidases) as reviewed in Zhang et al., Outlook for cellulase improvement: Screening and selection strategies, 2006, Biotechnology Advances 24: 452-481. Total cellulolytic activity is usually measured using insoluble substrates, including Whatman No1 filter paper, microcrystalline cellulose, bacterial cellulose, algal cellulose, cotton, pretreated lignocellulose, etc. The most common total cellulolytic activity assay is the filter paper assay using Whatman No 1 filter paper as the substrate. The assay was established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) (Ghose, 1987, Measurement of cellulase activities, Pure Appl. Chem. 59: 257-68).

For purposes of the present invention, cellulolytic activity is determined by measuring the increase in hydrolysis of a cellulosic material by cellulolytic enzyme(s) under the following conditions: 1-20 mg of cellulolytic protein/g of cellulose in PCS for 3-7 days at 50-65° C. compared to a control hydrolysis without addition of cellulolytic protein. Typical conditions are 1 ml reactions, washed or unwashed PCS, 5% insoluble solids, 50 mM sodium acetate pH 5, 1 mM MnSO₄, 50-65° C., 72 hours, sugar analysis by AMINEX® HPX-87H column (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Hercules, Calif., USA).

Endoglucanase: The term “endoglucanase” is defined herein as an endo-1,4-(1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase (E.C. 3.2.1.4), which catalyses endohydrolysis of 1,4-beta-D-glycosidic linkages in cellulose, cellulose derivatives (such as carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose), lichenin, beta-1,4 bonds in mixed beta-1,3 glucans such as cereal beta-D-glucans or xyloglucans, and other plant material containing cellulosic components. Endoglucanase activity can be determined based on a reduction in substrate viscosity or increase in reducing ends determined by a reducing sugar assay (Zhang et al., 2006, Biotechnology Advances 24: 452-481). For purposes of the present invention, endoglucanase activity is determined using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrolysis according to the procedure of Ghose, 1987, Pure and Appl. Chem. 59: 257-268.

Beta-glucosidase: The term “beta-glucosidase” is defined herein as a beta-D-glucoside glucohydrolase (E.C. 3.2.1.21), which catalyzes the hydrolysis of terminal non-reducing beta-D-glucose residues with the release of beta-D-glucose. For purposes of the present invention, beta-glucosidase activity is determined according to the basic procedure described by Venturi et al., 2002, Extracellular beta-D-glucosidase from Chaetomium thermophilum var. coprophilum: production, purification and some biochemical properties, J. Basic Microbiol. 42: 55-66. One unit of beta-glucosidase activity is defined as 1.0 μmole of p-nitrophenol produced per minute at 40° C., pH 5 from 1 mM p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside as substrate in 100 mM sodium citrate containing 0.01% TWEEN® 20.

Cellulolytic enhancing activity: The term “cellulolytic enhancing activity” is defined herein as a biological activity that enhances the hydrolysis of a cellulosic material by polypeptides having cellulolytic activity. For purposes of the present invention, cellulolytic enhancing activity is determined by measuring the increase in reducing sugars or in the increase of the total of cellobiose and glucose from the hydrolysis of a cellulosic material by cellulolytic protein under the following conditions: 1-50 mg of total protein/g of cellulose in PCS, wherein total protein is comprised of 50-99.5% w/w cellulolytic protein and 0.5-50% w/w protein of cellulolytic enhancing activity for 1-7 day at 50-65° C. compared to a control hydrolysis with equal total protein loading without cellulolytic enhancing activity (1-50 mg of cellulolytic protein/g of cellulose in PCS). In a preferred aspect, a mixture of CELLUCLAST® 1.5 L (Novozymes A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark) in the presence of 3% of total protein weight Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase (recombinantly produced in Aspergillus oryzae according to WO 02/095014) or 3% of total protein weight Aspergillus fumigatus beta-glucosidase (recombinantly produced in Aspergillus oryzae as described in WO 2002/095014) of cellulase protein loading is used as the source of the cellulolytic activity.

The polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity have at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 100% of the cellulolytic enhancing activity of the mature polypeptide of a GH61 polypeptide.

The polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity enhance the hydrolysis of a cellulosic material catalyzed by proteins having cellulolytic activity by reducing the amount of cellulolytic enzyme required to reach the same degree of hydrolysis preferably at least 1.01-fold, more preferably at least 1.05-fold, more preferably at least 1.10-fold, more preferably at least 1.25-fold, more preferably at least 1.5-fold, more preferably at least 2-fold, more preferably at least 3-fold, more preferably at least 4-fold, more preferably at least 5-fold, even more preferably at least 10-fold, and most preferably at least 20-fold.

Xylan degrading activity: The terms “xylan degrading activity” or “xylanolytic activity” are defined herein as a biological activity that hydrolyzes xylan-containing material. The two basic approaches for measuring xylanolytic activity include: (1) measuring the total xylanolytic activity, and (2) measuring the individual xylanolytic activities (endoxylanases, beta-xylosidases, arabinofuranosidases, alpha-glucuronidases, acetylxylan esterases, feruloyl esterases, and alpha-glucuronyl esterases). Recent progress in assays of xylanolytic enzymes was summarized in several publications including Biely and Puchard, Recent progress in the assays of xylanolytic enzymes, 2006, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 86(11): 1636-1647; Spanikova and Biely, 2006, Glucuronoyl esterase—Novel carbohydrate esterase produced by Schizophyllum commune, FEBS Letters 580(19): 4597-4601; Herrmann, Vrsanska, Jurickova, Hirsch, Biely, and Kubicek, 1997, The beta-D-xylosidase of Trichoderma reesei is a multifunctional beta-D-xylan xylohydrolase, Biochemical Journal 321: 375-381.

Total xylan degrading activity can be measured by determining the reducing sugars formed from various types of xylan, including oat spelt, beechwood, and larchwood xylans, or by photometric determination of dyed xylan fragments released from various covalently dyed xylans. The most common total xylanolytic activity assay is based on production of reducing sugars from polymeric 4-O-methyl glucuronoxylan as described in Bailey, Biely, Poutanen, 1992, Interlaboratory testing of methods for assay of xylanase activity, Journal of Biotechnology 23(3): 257-270.

For purposes of the present invention, xylan degrading activity is determined by measuring the increase in hydrolysis of birchwood xylan (Sigma Chemical Co., Inc., St. Louis, Mo., USA) by xylan-degrading enzyme(s) under the following typical conditions: 1 ml reactions, 5 mg/ml substrate (total solids), 5 mg of xylanolytic protein/g of substrate, 50 mM sodium acetate pH 5, 50° C., 24 hours, sugar analysis using p-hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide (PHBAH) assay as described by Lever, 1972, A new reaction for colorimetric determination of carbohydrates, Anal. Biochem 47: 273-279.

Xylanase activity: The term “xylanase activity” is defined herein as a 1,4-beta-D-xylan-xylohydrolase activity (E.C. 3.2.1.8) that catalyzes the endo-hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-D-xylosidic linkages in xylans. For purposes of the present invention, xylanase activity is determined using birchwood xylan as substrate. One unit of xylanase activity is defined as 1.0 μmole of reducing sugar (measured in glucose equivalents as described by Lever, 1972, A new reaction for colorimetric determination of carbohydrates, Anal. Biochem 47: 273-279) produced per minute during the initial period of hydrolysis at 50° C., pH 5 from 2 g of birchwood xylan per liter as substrate in 50 mM sodium acetate containing 0.01% TWEEN® 20.

Beta-xylosidase activity: The term “beta-xylosidase activity” is defined herein as a beta-D-xyloside xylohydrolase (E.C. 3.2.1.37) that catalyzes the exo-hydrolysis of short beta (1→4)-xylooligosaccharides, to remove successive D-xylose residues from the non-reducing termini. For purposes of the present invention, one unit of beta-xylosidase activity is defined as 1.0 μmole of p-nitrophenol produced per minute at 40° C., pH 5 from 1 mM p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xyloside as substrate in 100 mM sodium citrate containing 0.01% TWEEN® 20.

Acetylxylan esterase activity: The term “acetylxylan esterase activity” is defined herein as a carboxylesterase activity (EC 3.1.1.72) that catalyses the hydrolysis of acetyl groups from polymeric xylan, acetylated xylose, acetylated glucose, alpha-napthyl acetate, and p-nitrophenyl acetate. For purposes of the present invention, acetylxylan esterase activity is determined using 0.5 mM p-nitrophenylacetate as substrate in 50 mM sodium acetate pH 5.0 containing 0.01% TWEEN™ 20. One unit of acetylxylan esterase activity is defined as the amount of enzyme capable of releasing 1 μmole of p-nitrophenolate anion per minute at pH 5, 25° C.

Feruloyl esterase activity: The term “feruloyl esterase activity” is defined herein as a 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamoyl-sugar hydrolase activity (EC 3.1.1.73) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamoyl (feruloyl) group from an esterified sugar, which is usually arabinose in “natural” substrates, to produce ferulate (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamate). Feruloyl esterase is also known as ferulic acid esterase, hydroxycinnamoyl esterase, FAE-III, cinnamoyl ester hydrolase, FAEA, cinnAE, FAE-I, or FAE-II. For purposes of the present invention, feruloyl esterase activity is determined using 0.5 mM p-nitrophenylferulate as substrate in 50 mM sodium acetate pH 5.0. One unit of feruloyl esterase activity equals the amount of enzyme capable of releasing 1 μmole of p-nitrophenolate anion per minute at pH 5, 25° C.

Alpha-glucuronidase activity: The term “alpha-glucuronidase activity” is defined herein as an alpha-D-glucosiduronate glucuronohydrolase activity (EC 3.2.1.139) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of an alpha-D-glucuronoside to D-glucuronate and an alcohol. For purposes of the present invention, alpha-glucuronidase activity is determined according to de Vries, 1998, J. Bacteriol. 180: 243-249. One unit of alpha-glucuronidase activity equals the amount of enzyme capable of releasing 1 μmole of glucuronic or 4-O-methylglucuronic acid per minute at pH 5, 40° C.

Alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase activity: The term “alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase activity” is defined herein as an alpha-L-arabinofuranoside arabinofuranohydrolase activity (EC 3.2.1.55) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of terminal non-reducing alpha-L-arabinofuranoside residues in alpha-L-arabinosides. The enzyme activity acts on alpha-L-arabinofuranosides, alpha-L-arabinans containing (1,3)- and/or (1,5)-linkages, arabinoxylans, and arabinogalactans. Alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase is also known as arabinosidase, alpha-arabinosidase, alpha-L-arabinosidase, alpha-arabinofuranosidase, polysaccharide alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase, alpha-L-arabinofuranoside hydrolase, L-arabinosidase, or alpha-L-arabinanase. For purposes of the present invention, alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase activity is determined using 5 mg of medium viscosity wheat arabinoxylan (Megazyme International Ireland, Ltd., Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland) per ml of 100 mM sodium acetate pH 5 in a total volume of 200 μl for 30 minutes at 40° C. followed by arabinose analysis by AMINEX® HPX-87H column chromatography (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Hercules, Calif., USA).

Family 6 or 10 or 61, or GH6, GH10, or GH61, or CEL6: The terms “Family 6”, “Family 10”, “Family 61”, “GH6”, “GH10”, “GH61”, or “CEL6” are defined herein as a polypeptide falling into the glycoside hydrolase Families 6, 10, and 61 according to Henrissat B., 1991, A classification of glycosyl hydrolases based on amino-acid sequence similarities, Biochem. J. 280: 309-316, and Henrissat and Bairoch, 1996, Updating the sequence-based classification of glycosyl hydrolases, Biochem. J. 316: 695-696. According to such a classification, SEQ ID NOs: 26, 30, 32, 34, and 38 or the mature polypeptides thereof belong to Family 6 and are predicted to be a cellobiohydrolase II.

Cellulosic material: The cellulosic material can be any material containing cellulose. The predominant polysaccharide in the primary cell wall of biomass is cellulose, the second most abundant is hemicellulose, and the third is pectin. The secondary cell wall, produced after the cell has stopped growing, also contains polysaccharides and is strengthened by polymeric lignin covalently cross-linked to hemicellulose. Cellulose is a homopolymer of anhydrocellobiose and thus a linear beta-(1-4)-D-glucan, while hemicelluloses include a variety of compounds, such as xylans, xyloglucans, arabinoxylans, and mannans in complex branched structures with a spectrum of substituents. Although generally polymorphous, cellulose is found in plant tissue primarily as an insoluble crystalline matrix of parallel glucan chains. Hemicelluloses usually hydrogen bond to cellulose, as well as to other hemicelluloses, which help stabilize the cell wall matrix.

Cellulose is generally found, for example, in the stems, leaves, hulls, husks, and cobs of plants or leaves, branches, and wood of trees. The cellulosic material can be, but is not limited to, herbaceous material, agricultural residue, forestry residue, municipal solid waste, waste paper, and pulp and paper mill residue (see, for example, Wiselogel et al., 1995, in Handbook on Bioethanol (Charles E. Wyman, editor), pp. 105-118, Taylor & Francis, Washington D.C.; Wyman, 1994, Bioresource Technology 50: 3-16; Lynd, 1990, Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 24/25: 695-719; Mosier et al., 1999, Recent Progress in Bioconversion of Lignocellulosics, in Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology, T. Scheper, managing editor, Volume 65, pp. 23-40, Springer-Verlag, New York). It is understood herein that the cellulose may be in the form of lignocellulose, a plant cell wall material containing lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose in a mixed matrix. In a preferred aspect, the cellulosic material is lignocellulose.

In one aspect, the cellulosic material is herbaceous material. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is agricultural residue. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is forestry residue. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is municipal solid waste. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is waste paper. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is pulp and paper mill residue.

In another aspect, the cellulosic material is corn stover. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is corn fiber. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is corn cob. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is orange peel. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is rice straw. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is wheat straw. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is switch grass. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is miscanthus. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is bagasse.

In another aspect, the cellulosic material is microcrystalline cellulose. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is bacterial cellulose. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is algal cellulose. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is cotton linter. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is amorphous phosphoric-acid treated cellulose. In another aspect, the cellulosic material is filter paper.

The cellulosic material may be used as is or may be subjected to pretreatment, using conventional methods known in the art, as described herein. In a preferred aspect, the cellulosic material is pretreated.

Pretreated corn stover: The term “PCS” or “Pretreated Corn Stover” is defined herein as a cellulosic material derived from corn stover by treatment with heat and dilute sulfuric acid.

Xylan-containing material: The term “xylan-containing material” is defined herein as any material comprising a plant cell wall polysaccharide containing a backbone of beta-(1-4)-linked xylose residues. Xylans of terrestrial plants are heteropolymers possessing a beta-(1-4)-D-xylopyranose backbone, which is branched by short carbohydrate chains. They comprise D-glucuronic acid or its 4-O-methyl ether, L-arabinose, and/or various oligosaccharides, composed of D-xylose, L-arabinose, D- or L-galactose, and D-glucose. Xylan-type polysaccharides can be divided into homoxylans and heteroxylans, which include glucuronoxylans, (arabino)glucuronoxylans, (glucurono)arabinoxylans, arabinoxylans, and complex heteroxylans. See, for example, Ebringerova et al., 2005, Adv. Polym. Sci. 186: 1-67.

In the methods of the present invention, any material containing xylan may be used. In a preferred aspect, the xylan-containing material is lignocellulose.

Isolated polypeptide: The term “isolated polypeptide” as used herein refers to a polypeptide that is isolated from a source. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide is at least 1% pure, preferably at least 5% pure, more preferably at least 10% pure, more preferably at least 20% pure, more preferably at least 40% pure, more preferably at least 60% pure, even more preferably at least 80% pure, and most preferably at least 90% pure, as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Substantially pure polypeptide: The term “substantially pure polypeptide” denotes herein a polypeptide preparation that contains at most 10%, preferably at most 8%, more preferably at most 6%, more preferably at most 5%, more preferably at most 4%, more preferably at most 3%, even more preferably at most 2%, most preferably at most 1%, and even most preferably at most 0.5% by weight of other polypeptide material with which it is natively or recombinantly associated. It is, therefore, preferred that the substantially pure polypeptide is at least 92% pure, preferably at least 94% pure, more preferably at least 95% pure, more preferably at least 96% pure, more preferably at least 97% pure, more preferably at least 98% pure, even more preferably at least 99% pure, most preferably at least 99.5% pure, and even most preferably 100% pure by weight of the total polypeptide material present in the preparation. The polypeptides of the present invention are preferably in a substantially pure form, i.e., that the polypeptide preparation is essentially free of other polypeptide material with which it is natively or recombinantly associated. This can be accomplished, for example, by preparing the polypeptide by well-known recombinant methods or by classical purification methods.

Mature polypeptide: The term “mature polypeptide” is defined herein as a polypeptide having enzyme activity that is in its final form following translation and any post-translational modifications, such as N-terminal processing, C-terminal truncation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, etc.

Mature polypeptide coding sequence: The term “mature polypeptide coding sequence” is defined herein as a nucleotide sequence that encodes a mature polypeptide having enzyme activity.

Sequence Identity: The relatedness between two amino acid sequences or between two nucleotide sequences is described by the parameter “sequence identity”.

For purposes of the present invention, the degree of sequence identity between two amino acid sequences is determined using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443-453) as implemented in the Needle program of the EMBOSS package (EMBOSS: The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite, Rice et al., 2000, Trends in Genetics 16: 276-277), preferably version 3.0.0 or later. The optional parameters used are gap open penalty of 10, gap extension penalty of 0.5, and the EBLOSUM62 (EMBOSS version of BLOSUM62) substitution matrix. The output of Needle labeled “longest identity” (obtained using the -nobrief option) is used as the percent identity and is calculated as follows:

(Identical Residues×100)/(Length of Alignment−Total Number of Gaps in Alignment)

For purposes of the present invention, the degree of sequence identity between two deoxyribonucleotide sequences is determined using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, supra) as implemented in the Needle program of the EMBOSS package (EMBOSS: The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite, Rice et al., 2000, supra), preferably version 3.0.0 or later. The optional parameters used are gap open penalty of 10, gap extension penalty of 0.5, and the EDNAFULL (EMBOSS version of NCBI NUC4.4) substitution matrix. The output of Needle labeled “longest identity” (obtained using the -nobrief option) is used as the percent identity and is calculated as follows:

(Identical Deoxyribonucleotides×100)/(Length of Alignment−Total Number of Gaps in Alignment)

Polypeptide fragment: The term “polypeptide fragment” is defined herein as a polypeptide having one or more (several) amino acids deleted from the amino and/or carboxyl terminus of a mature polypeptide; or a homologous sequence thereof; wherein the fragment has enzyme activity.

Subsequence: The term “subsequence” is defined herein as a nucleotide sequence having one or more (several) nucleotides deleted from the 5′ and/or 3′ end of a mature polypeptide coding sequence; or a homologous sequence thereof; wherein the subsequence encodes a polypeptide fragment having enzyme activity.

Allelic variant: The term “allelic variant” denotes herein any of two or more alternative forms of a gene occupying the same chromosomal locus. Allelic variation arises naturally through mutation, and may result in polymorphism within populations. Gene mutations can be silent (no change in the encoded polypeptide) or may encode polypeptides having altered amino acid sequences. An allelic variant of a polypeptide is a polypeptide encoded by an allelic variant of a gene.

Isolated polynucleotide: The term “isolated polynucleotide” as used herein refers to a polynucleotide that is isolated from a source. In a preferred aspect, the polynucleotide is at least 1% pure, preferably at least 5% pure, more preferably at least 10% pure, more preferably at least 20% pure, more preferably at least 40% pure, more preferably at least 60% pure, even more preferably at least 80% pure, and most preferably at least 90% pure, as determined by agarose electrophoresis.

Substantially pure polynucleotide: The term “substantially pure polynucleotide” as used herein refers to a polynucleotide preparation free of other extraneous or unwanted nucleotides and in a form suitable for use within genetically engineered protein production systems. Thus, a substantially pure polynucleotide contains at most 10%, preferably at most 8%, more preferably at most 6%, more preferably at most 5%, more preferably at most 4%, more preferably at most 3%, even more preferably at most 2%, most preferably at most 1%, and even most preferably at most 0.5% by weight of other polynucleotide material with which it is natively or recombinantly associated. A substantially pure polynucleotide may, however, include naturally occurring 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions, such as promoters and terminators. It is preferred that the substantially pure polynucleotide is at least 90% pure, preferably at least 92% pure, more preferably at least 94% pure, more preferably at least 95% pure, more preferably at least 96% pure, more preferably at least 97% pure, even more preferably at least 98% pure, most preferably at least 99% pure, and even most preferably at least 99.5% pure by weight. The polynucleotides of the present invention are preferably in a substantially pure form, i.e., that the polynucleotide preparation is essentially free of other polynucleotide material with which it is natively or recombinantly associated. The polynucleotides may be of genomic, cDNA, RNA, semisynthetic, synthetic origin, or any combinations thereof.

Coding sequence: When used herein the term “coding sequence” means a nucleotide sequence, which directly specifies the amino acid sequence of its protein product. The boundaries of the coding sequence are generally determined by an open reading frame, which usually begins with the ATG start codon or alternative start codons such as GTG and TTG and ends with a stop codon such as TAA, TAG, and TGA. The coding sequence may be a DNA, cDNA, synthetic, or recombinant nucleotide sequence.

cDNA: The term “cDNA” is defined herein as a DNA molecule that can be prepared by reverse transcription from a mature, spliced, mRNA molecule obtained from a eukaryotic cell. cDNA lacks intron sequences that may be present in the corresponding genomic DNA. The initial, primary RNA transcript is a precursor to mRNA that is processed through a series of steps before appearing as mature spliced mRNA. These steps include the removal of intron sequences by a process called splicing. cDNA derived from mRNA lacks, therefore, any intron sequences.

Nucleic acid construct: The term “nucleic acid construct” as used herein refers to a nucleic acid molecule, either single- or double-stranded, which is isolated from a naturally occurring gene or which is modified to contain segments of nucleic acids in a manner that would not otherwise exist in nature or which is synthetic. The term nucleic acid construct is synonymous with the term “expression cassette” when the nucleic acid construct contains the control sequences required for expression of a coding sequence of the present invention.

Control sequences: The term “control sequences” is defined herein to include all components necessary for the expression of a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of the present invention. Each control sequence may be native or foreign to the nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide or native or foreign to each other. Such control sequences include, but are not limited to, a leader, polyadenylation sequence, propeptide sequence, promoter, signal peptide sequence, and transcription terminator. At a minimum, the control sequences include a promoter, and transcriptional and translational stop signals. The control sequences may be provided with linkers for the purpose of introducing specific restriction sites facilitating ligation of the control sequences with the coding region of the nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide.

Operably linked: The term “operably linked” denotes herein a configuration in which a control sequence is placed at an appropriate position relative to the coding sequence of a polynucleotide sequence such that the control sequence directs the expression of the coding sequence of a polypeptide.

Expression: The term “expression” includes any step involved in the production of a polypeptide including, but not limited to, transcription, post-transcriptional modification, translation, post-translational modification, and secretion.

Expression vector: The term “expression vector” is defined herein as a linear or circular DNA molecule that comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and is operably linked to additional nucleotides that provide for its expression.

Host cell: The term “host cell”, as used herein, includes any cell type that is susceptible to transformation, transfection, transduction, and the like with a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to enzyme compositions comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase, wherein one or both of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins.

The present invention also relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material, comprising: treating the cellulosic material with an enzyme composition comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase, wherein one or both of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins.

In one aspect, the method above further comprises recovering the degraded or converted cellulosic material. Soluble products of degradation or conversion of the cellulosic material can be separated from the insoluble cellulosic material using technology well known in the art such as, for example, centrifugation, filtration, and gravity settling.

The present invention also relates to methods for producing a fermentation product, comprising: (a) saccharifying a cellulosic material with an enzyme composition comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase, wherein one or both of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins; (b) fermenting the saccharified cellulosic material with one or more (several) fermenting microorganisms; and (c) recovering the fermentation product from the fermentation.

The present invention also relates to methods of fermenting a cellulosic material, comprising: fermenting the cellulosic material with one or more (several) fermenting microorganisms, wherein the cellulosic material is saccharified with an enzyme composition comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase, wherein one or both of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins. In a preferred aspect, the fermenting of the cellulosic material produces a fermentation product. In another preferred aspect, the method further comprises recovering the fermentation product from the fermentation.

The presence of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity increases the hydrolysis of a cellulosic material by the enzyme composition compared to their absence or the additive effect of each alone. The increase is preferably at least 1.02-fold, more preferably at least 1.05-fold, more preferably at least 1.1-fold, more preferably at least 1.2-fold, more preferably at least 1.4-fold, more preferably at least 1.6-fold, more preferably at least 1.8-fold, more preferably at least 2-fold, even more preferably at least 5-fold, and most preferably at least 10-fold in the presence of the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity compared to their absence or the additive effect of each alone.

In one aspect, the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins. In another aspect, the polypeptide having xylanase activity is foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins. In another aspect, the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins.

Enzyme Compositions

In the methods of the present invention, the enzyme composition comprises a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase.

For cellulose degradation, at least three categories of enzymes are important for converting cellulose into fermentable sugars: endoglucanases (EC 3.2.1.4) that hydrolyze the cellulose chains at random; cellobiohydrolases (EC 3.2.1.91) that cleave cellobiosyl units from the cellulose chain ends, and beta-glucosidases (EC 3.2.1.21) that convert cellobiose and soluble cellodextrins into glucose.

The cellulolytic protein, e.g., endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, and/or beta-glucosidase, may be a bacterial cellulolytic protein. For example, the cellulolytic protein may be a gram positive bacterial cellulolytic protein such as a Bacillus, Streptococcus, Streptomyces, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Clostridium, Geobacillus, or Oceanobacillus cellulolytic protein, or a Gram negative bacterial cellulolytic protein such as an E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Flavobacterium, Fusobacterium, Ilyobacter, Neisseria, or Ureaplasma cellulolytic protein.

In a preferred aspect, the cellulolytic protein is a Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus lautus, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, or Bacillus thuringiensis cellulolytic protein.

In another preferred aspect, the cellulolytic protein is a Streptococcus equisimilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus uberis, or Streptococcus equi subsp. Zooepidemicus cellulolytic protein.

In another preferred aspect, the cellulolytic protein is a Streptomyces achromogenes, Streptomyces avermitilis, Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces griseus, or Streptomyces lividans cellulolytic protein.

The cellulolytic protein, e.g., endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, and/or beta-glucosidase, may also be a fungal cellulolytic protein, and more preferably a yeast cellulolytic protein such as a Candida, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, or Yarrowia cellulolytic protein; or more preferably a filamentous fungal cellulolytic protein such as an Acremonium, Agaricus, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Botryospaeria, Ceriporiopsis, Chaetomidium, Chrysosporium, Claviceps, Cochliobolus, Coprinopsis, Coptotermes, Corynascus, Cryphonectria, Cryptococcus, Diplodia, Exidia, Filibasidium, Fusarium, Gibberella, Holomastigotoides, Humicola, Irpex, Lentinula, Leptospaeria, Magnaporthe, Melanocarpus, Meripilus, Mucor, Myceliophthora, Neocallimastix, Neurospora, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Phanerochaete, Piromyces, Poitrasia, Pseudoplectania, Pseudotrichonympha, Rhizomucor, Schizophyllum, Scytalidium, Talaromyces, Thermoascus, Thielavia, Tolypocladium, Trichoderma, Trichophaea, Verticillium, Volvariella, or Xylaria cellulolytic protein.

In a preferred aspect, the cellulolytic protein is a Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces diastaticus, Saccharomyces douglasii, Saccharomyces kluyveri, Saccharomyces norbensis, or Saccharomyces oviformis cellulolytic protein.

In another preferred aspect, the cellulolytic protein is an Acremonium cellulolyticus, Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus foetidus, Aspergillus japonicus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Chrysosporium lucknowense, Chrysosporium tropicum, Chrysosporium merdarium, Chrysosporium inops, Chrysosporium pannicola, Chrysosporium queenslandicum, Chrysosporium zonatum, Fusarium bactridioides, Fusarium cerealis, Fusarium crookwellense, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium graminum, Fusarium heterosporum, Fusarium negundi, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium reticulatum, Fusarium roseum, Fusarium sambucinum, Fusarium sarcochroum, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium sulphureum, Fusarium torulosum, Fusarium trichothecioides, Fusarium venenatum, Humicola grisea, Humicola insolens, Humicola lanuginosa, Irpex lacteus, Mucor miehei, Myceliophthora thermophila, Neurospora crassa, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium purpurogenum, Phanerochaete chtysosporium, Thielavia achromatica, Thielavia albomyces, Thielavia albopilosa, Thielavia australeinsis, Thielavia fimeti, Thielavia microspora, Thielavia ovispora, Thielavia peruviana, Thielavia spededonium, Thielavia setosa, Thielavia subthermophila, Thielavia terrestris, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma koningii, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma viride, or Trichophaea saccata cellulolytic protein.

The cellulolytic proteins may have activity, i.e., hydrolyze cellulose, either in the acid, neutral, or alkaline pH range. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants of cellulolytic proteins may also be used.

One or more components of the enzyme composition may be wild-type proteins, recombinant proteins, or a combination of wild-type proteins and recombinant proteins. For example, one or more components may be native proteins of a cell, which is used as a host cell to express recombinantly one or more (several) other components of the enzyme composition. One or more components of the enzyme composition may be produced as monocomponents, which are then combined to form the enzyme composition. The enzyme composition may be a combination of multicomponent and monocomponent protein preparations.

Examples of bacterial endoglucanases that can be used in the present invention, include, but are not limited to, an Acidothermus cellulolyticus endoglucanase (WO 91/05039; WO 93/15186; U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,944; WO 96/02551; U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,655, WO 00/70031, WO 05/093050); Thermobifida fusca endoglucanase III (WO 05/093050); and Thermobifida fusca endoglucanase V (WO 05/093050).

Examples of fungal endoglucanases that can be used in the present invention, include, but are not limited to, a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (Penttila et al., 1986, Gene 45: 253-263; Trichoderma reesei Cel7B endoglucanase I; GENBANK™ accession no. M15665; SEQ ID NO: 82); Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase II (Saloheimo, et al., 1988, Gene 63:11-22; Trichoderma reesei Cel5A endoglucanase II; GENBANK™ accession no. M19373; SEQ ID NO: 84); Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase III (Okada et al., 1988, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64: 555-563; GENBANK™ accession no. AB003694; SEQ ID NO: 86); Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase IV (Saloheimo et al., 1997, Eur. J. Biochem. 249: 584-591; GENBANK™ accession no. Y11113; SEQ ID NO: 88); Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase V (Saloheimo et al., 1994, Molecular Microbiology 13: 219-228; GENBANK™ accession no. Z33381; SEQ ID NO: 90); Aspergillus aculeatus endoglucanase (Ooi et al., 1990, Nucleic Acids Research 18: 5884); Aspergillus kawachii endoglucanase (Sakamoto et al., 1995, Current Genetics 27: 435-439); Erwinia carotovara endoglucanase (Saarilahti et al., 1990, Gene 90: 9-14); Fusarium oxysporum endoglucanase (GENBANK™ accession no. L29381); Humicola grisea var. thermoidea endoglucanase (GENBANK™ accession no. AB003107); Melanocarpus albomyces endoglucanase (GENBANK™ accession no. MAL515703); Neurospora crassa endoglucanase (GENBANK™ accession no. XM_(—)324477); Humicola insolens endoglucanase V (SEQ ID NO: 2); Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 4); basidiomycete CBS 495.95 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 6); basidiomycete CBS 494.95 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 8); Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 CEL6B endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 10); Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 CEL6C endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 12); Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 CEL7C endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 14); Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 CEL7E endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 16); Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 CEL7F endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 18); Cladorrhinum foecundissimum ATCC 62373 CEL7A endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 20); and Trichoderma reesei strain No. VTT-D-80133 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 22; GENBANK™ accession no. M15665). The endoglucanases of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 88, and SEQ ID NO: 90 described above are encoded by the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 81, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 87, and SEQ ID NO: 89, respectively.

Examples of cellobiohydrolases useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (SEQ ID NO: 24); Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II (SEQ ID NO: 26); Humicola insolens cellobiohydrolase I (SEQ ID NO: 28), Myceliophthora thermophila cellobiohydrolase II (SEQ ID NO: 30 and SEQ ID NO: 32), Thielavia terrestris cellobiohydrolase II (CEL6A) (SEQ ID NO: 34), Chaetomium thermophilum cellobiohydrolase I (SEQ ID NO: 36), and Chaetomium thermophilum cellobiohydrolase II (SEQ ID NO: 38). The cellobiohydrolases of SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 28, SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 36, and SEQ ID NO: 38 described above are encoded by the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 35, and SEQ ID NO: 37, respectively.

Examples of beta-glucosidases useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase (SEQ ID NO: 40); Aspergillus fumigatus beta-glucosidase (SEQ ID NO: 42); Penicillium brasilianum IBT 20888 beta-glucosidase (SEQ ID NO: 44); Aspergillus niger beta-glucosidase (SEQ ID NO: 46); and Aspergillus aculeatus beta-glucosidase (SEQ ID NO: 48). The beta-glucosidases of SEQ ID NO: 40, SEQ ID NO: 42, SEQ ID NO: 44, SEQ ID NO: 46, and SEQ ID NO: 48 described above are encoded by the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 45, and SEQ ID NO: 47, respectively.

The Aspergillus oryzae polypeptide having beta-glucosidase activity can be obtained according to WO 2002/095014. The Aspergillus fumigatus polypeptide having beta-glucosidase activity can be obtained according to WO 2005/047499. The Penicillium brasilianum polypeptide having beta-glucosidase activity can be obtained according to WO 2007/019442. The Aspergillus niger polypeptide having beta-glucosidase activity can be obtained according to Dan et al., 2000, J. Biol. Chem. 275: 4973-4980. The Aspergillus aculeatus polypeptide having beta-glucosidase activity can be obtained according to Kawaguchi et al., 1996, Gene 173: 287-288.

Other endoglucanases, cellobiohydrolases, and beta-glucosidases are disclosed in numerous Glycosyl Hydrolase families using the classification according to Henrissat B., 1991, A classification of glycosyl hydrolases based on amino-acid sequence similarities, Biochem. J. 280: 309-316, and Henrissat B., and Bairoch A., 1996, Updating the sequence-based classification of glycosyl hydrolases, Biochem. J. 316: 695-696.

In one aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise endoglucanase. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise endoglucanase I. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise endoglucanase II. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise endoglucanase III. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise endoglucanase IV. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise endoglucanase V. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise cellobiohydrolase. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise cellobiohydrolase I. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise beta-glucosidase. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise a beta-glucosidase fusion protein. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise endoglucanase and cellobiohydrolase I. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase I, and beta-glucosidase.

In another aspect, the beta-glucosidase is Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase (SEQ ID NO: 40). In another aspect, the beta-glucosidase is Aspergillus fumigatus beta-glucosidase (SEQ ID NO: 42). In another aspect, the beta-glucosidase is Penicillium brasilianum IBT 20888-beta-glucosidase (SEQ ID NO: 44). In another aspect, the beta-glucosidase is Aspergillus niger beta-glucosidase (SEQ ID NO: 46). In another aspect, the beta-glucosidase is and Aspergillus aculeatus beta-glucosidase. In another aspect, the beta-glucosidase is the Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase variant fusion protein of SEQ ID NO: 50 or the Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein of SEQ ID NO: 52. In another aspect, the Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase variant fusion protein is encoded by the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 49 or the Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein is encoded by the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 51.

In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise a commercial cellulolytic protein preparation. Commercial cellulolytic protein preparations suitable for use in the present invention include, for example, CELLIC™ Ctec (Novozymes NS), CELLUCLAST™ (Novozymes A/S), NOVOZYM™ 188 (Novozymes A/S), CELLUZYME™ (Novozymes A/S), CEREFLO™ (Novozymes A/S), and ULTRAFLO™ (Novozymes A/S), ACCELERASE™ (Genencor Int.), LAMINEX™ (Genencor Int.), SPEZYME™ CP (Genencor Int.), ROHAMENT™ 7069 W (Röhm GmbH), FIBREZYME® LDI (Dyadic International, Inc.), FIBREZYME® LBR (Dyadic International, Inc.), or VISCOSTAR® 150 L (Dyadic International, Inc.). The cellulase enzymes are added in amounts effective from about 0.001 to about 5.0 wt % of solids, more preferably from about 0.025 to about 4.0 wt % of solids, and most preferably from about 0.005 to about 2.0 wt % of solids. The cellulase enzymes are added in amounts effective from about 0.001 to about 5.0 wt % of solids, more preferably from about 0.025 to about 4.0 wt % of solids, and most preferably from about 0.005 to about 2.0 wt % of solids.

In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise a beta-glucosidase; a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (CEL7A), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II (CEL6A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (CEL7B). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise an Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase; a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (CEL7A), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II (CEL6A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (CEL7B). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise an Aspergillus niger beta-glucosidase; a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (CEL7A), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II (CEL6A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (CEL7B). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise an Aspergillus fumigatus beta-glucosidase; a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (CEL7A), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II (CEL6A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (CEL7B). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise a Penicillium brasilianum beta-glucosidase; a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (CEL7A), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II (CEL6A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (CEL7B). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise an Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase variant BG fusion protein (for example, SEQ ID NO: 50), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (CEL7A), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II (CEL6A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (CEL7B). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins comprise an Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein (for example, SEQ ID NO: 52), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (CEL7A), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II (CEL6A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (CEL7B).

In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins above further comprise one or more (several) enzymes selected from the group consisting of a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase II (CEL5A), a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase V (CEL45A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase III (CEL12A).

The enzyme composition may further comprise a polypeptide(s) having cellulolytic enhancing activity. In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins above further comprise a polypeptide(s) having cellulolytic enhancing activity comprising the following motifs:

-   -   [I LMV]-P-X(4,5)-G-X-Y-[l LMV]-X-R-X-[EQ]-X(4)-[HNQ] and         [FW]-[TF]-K-[AIV],         wherein X is any amino acid, X(4,5) is any amino acid at 4 or 5         contiguous positions, and X(4) is any amino acid at 4 contiguous         positions.

The isolated polypeptide comprising the above-noted motifs may further comprise:

-   -   H-X(1,2)-G-P-X(3)-[YW]-[AILMV],     -   [EQ]-X-Y-X(2)-C-X-[EHQN]-[FILV]-X-[ILV], or     -   H-X(1,2)-G-P-X(3)-[YW]-[AILMV] and         [EQ]-X-Y-X(2)-C-X-[EHQN]-[FILV]-X-[ILV],         wherein X is any amino acid, X(1,2) is any amino acid at 1         position or 2 contiguous positions, X(3) is any amino acid at 3         contiguous positions, and X(2) is any amino acid at 2 contiguous         positions. In the above motifs, the accepted IUPAC single letter         amino acid abbreviation is employed.

In one aspect, the isolated polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity further comprises H-X(1,2)-G-P-X(3)-[YW]-[AILMV]. In another aspect, the isolated polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity further comprises [EQ]-X-Y-X(2)-C-X-[EHQN]-[FILV]-X-[ILV]. In another aspect, the isolated polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity further comprises H-X(1,2)-G-P-X(3)-[YW]-[AILMV] and [EQ]-X-Y-X(2)-C-X-[EHQN]-[FILV]-X-[ILV].

Examples of isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity include Thielavia terrestris polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 54, SEQ ID NO: 56, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 60, SEQ ID NO: 62, SEQ ID NO: 64, or SEQ ID NO: 113); Thermoascus aurantiacus (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 66); Trichoderma reesei (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 68); Myceliophthora thermophila (SEQ ID NO: 115 or SEQ ID NO: 117); or Aspergillus fumigatus (SEQ ID NO: 119). The polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity of SEQ ID NO: 54, SEQ ID NO: 56, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 60, SEQ ID NO: 62, SEQ ID NO: 64, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 68, SEQ ID NO: 113, SEQ ID NO: 113, SEQ ID NO: 115, SEQ ID NO: 117, and SEQ ID NO: 119 described above are encoded by the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 55, SEQ ID NO: 57, SEQ ID NO: 59, SEQ ID NO: 61, SEQ ID NO: 63, SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 67, SEQ ID NO: 112, SEQ ID NO: 114, SEQ ID NO: 116, and SEQ ID NO: 118, respectively.

In one aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Thielavia terrestris polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 54). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Thielavia terrestris polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 56). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Thielavia terrestris polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 58). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Thielavia terrestris polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 60). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Thielavia terrestris polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 62). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Thielavia terrestris polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 64). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Thermoascus aurantiacus polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 66). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Trichoderma reesei polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 68). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Thielavia terrestris polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 113). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Myceliophthora thermophila polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 115). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise a Myceliophthora thermophila polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 117). In another aspect, the one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins further comprise an Aspergillus fumigatus polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity (the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 119).

Other cellulolytic enzymes that may be used in the present invention are described in EP 495,257, EP 531,315, EP 531,372, WO 89/09259, WO 94/07998, WO 95/24471, WO 96/11262, WO 96/29397, WO 96/034108, WO 97/14804, WO 98/08940, WO 98/012307, WO 98/13465, WO 98/015619, WO 98/015633, WO 98/028411, WO 99/06574, WO 99/10481, WO 99/025846, WO 99/025847, WO 99/031255, WO 2000/009707, WO 2002/050245, WO 2002/0076792, WO 2002/101078, WO 2003/027306, WO 2003/052054, WO 2003/052055, WO 2003/052056, WO 2003/052057, WO 2003/052118, WO 2004/016760, WO 2004/043980, WO 2004/048592, WO 2005/001065, WO 2005/028636, WO 2005/093050, WO 2005/093073, WO 2006/074005, WO 2006/117432, WO 2007/071818, WO 2007/071820, WO 2008/008070, WO 2008/008793, U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307, U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,046, U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,263, U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,593, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,178, U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,254, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,757.

In another aspect, the enzyme composition may further comprise one or more xylan-degrading enzymes. In another aspect, the one or more xylan-degrading enzymes are selected from the group consisting of a xylanase, an acetyxylan esterase, a feruloyl esterase, an arabinofuranosidase, a xylosidase, and a glucuronidase. In a preferred aspect, the xylosidase is a beta-xylosidase. In a more preferred aspect, the beta-xylosidase is a Trichoderma reesei beta-xylosidase.

Examples of commercial xylan degrading enzyme preparations suitable for use in the present invention include, for example, SHEARZYME™ (Novozymes A/S), CELLIC™ Htec (Novozymes A/S), VISCOZYME® (Novozymes A/S), ULTRAFLO® (Novozymes A/S), PULPZYME® HC (Novozymes A/S), MULTIFECT® Xylanase (Genencor), ECOPULP® TX-200A (AB Enzymes), HSP 6000 Xylanase (DSM), DEPOL™ 333P (Biocatalysts Limit, Wales, UK), DEPOL™ 740 L. (Biocatalysts Limit, Wales, UK), and DEPOL™ 762P (Biocatalysts Limit, Wales, UK).

Examples of xylanases useful in the methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Aspergillus aculeatus xylanase (GeneSeqP:AAR63790; WO 94/21785), Aspergillus fumigatus xylanases (WO 2006/078256), and Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 xylanases (WO 2009/079210).

Examples of beta-xylosidases useful in the methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Trichoderma reesei beta-xylosidase (UniProtKB/TrEMBL accession number Q92458), Talaromyces emersonii (SwissProt accession number Q8×212), and Neurospora crassa (SwissProt accession number Q7SOW4).

Examples of acetylxylan esterases useful in the methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Hypocrea jecorina acetylxylan esterase (WO 2005/001036), Neurospora crassa acetylxylan esterase (UniProt accession number q7s259), Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 acetylxylan esterase (WO 2009/042846), Chaetomium globosum acetylxylan esterase (Uniprot accession number Q2GWX4), Chaetomium gracile acetylxylan esterase (GeneSeqP accession number AAB82124), Phaeosphaeria nodorum acetylxylan esterase (Uniprot accession number Q0UHJ1), and Humicola insolens DSM 1800 acetylxylan esterase (WO 2009/073709).

Examples of ferulic acid esterases useful in the methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Humicola insolens DSM 1800 feruloyl esterase (WO 2009/076122), Neurospora crassa feruloyl esterase (UniProt accession number Q9HGR3), and Neosartorya fischeri feruloyl esterase (UniProt Accession number A1D9T4).

Examples of arabinofuranosidases useful in the methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Humicola insolens DSM 1800 arabinofuranosidase (WO 2009/073383) and Aspergillus niger arabinofuranosidase (GeneSeqP accession number AAR94170).

Examples of alpha-glucuronidases useful in the methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Aspergillus clavatus alpha-glucuronidase (UniProt accession number alcc12), Trichoderma reesei alpha-glucuronidase (Uniprot accession number Q99024), Talaromyces emersonii alpha-glucuronidase (UniProt accession number Q8×211), Aspergillus niger alpha-glucuronidase (Uniprot accession number Q96WX9), Aspergillus terreus alpha-glucuronidase (SwissProt accession number Q0CJP9), and Aspergillus fumigatus alpha-glucuronidase (SwissProt accession number Q4WW45).

An enzyme composition of the present invention may be used as a supplement to another enzyme composition, where the enzyme composition of the present invention is simply added to the other enzyme composition or is added as a replacement of a portion of the other enzyme composition. Replacement of a portion of another enzyme composition, e.g., a commercial preparation, is preferably at least 1%, more preferably at least 2%, more preferably at least 5%, more preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 25%, and most preferably at least 50% replacement of the other enzyme composition.

The enzymes and proteins used in the present invention may be fused polypeptides or cleavable fusion polypeptides in which another polypeptide is fused at the N-terminus or the C-terminus of the polypeptide or fragment thereof. A fused polypeptide is produced by fusing a nucleotide sequence (or a portion thereof) encoding another polypeptide to a nucleotide sequence (or a portion thereof) of the present invention. Techniques for producing fusion polypeptides are known in the art, and include ligating the coding sequences encoding the polypeptides so that they are in frame and that expression of the fused polypeptide is under control of the same promoter(s) and terminator.

A fusion polypeptide can further comprise a cleavage site. Upon secretion of the fusion protein, the site is cleaved releasing the polypeptide having activity from the fusion protein. Examples of cleavage sites include, but are not limited to, a Kex2 site that encodes the dipeptide Lys-Arg (Martin et al., 2003, J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 3: 568-576; Svetina et al., 2000, J. Biotechnol. 76: 245-251; Rasmussen-Wilson et al., 1997, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63: 3488-3493; Ward et al., 1995, Biotechnology 13: 498-503; and Contreras et al., 1991, Biotechnology 9: 378-381), an Ile-(Glu or Asp)-Gly-Arg site, which is cleaved by a Factor Xa protease after the arginine residue (Eaton et al., 1986, Biochem. 25: 505-512); a Asp-Asp-Asp-Asp-Lys site, which is cleaved by an enterokinase after the lysine (Collins-Racie et al., 1995, Biotechnology 13: 982-987); a His-Tyr-Glu site or His-Tyr-Asp site, which is cleaved by Genenase I (Carter et al., 1989, Proteins: Structure, Function, and Genetics 6: 240-248); a Leu-Val-Pro-Arg-Gly-Ser site, which is cleaved by thrombin after the Arg (Stevens, 2003, Drug Discovery World 4: 35-48); a Glu-Asn-Leu-Tyr-Phe-Gln-Gly site, which is cleaved by TEV protease after the Gln (Stevens, 2003, supra); and a Leu-Glu-Val-Leu-Phe-Gln-Gly-Pro site, which is cleaved by a genetically engineered form of human rhinovirus 3C protease after the Gln (Stevens, 2003, supra).

The enzymes and proteins used in the methods of the present invention may be produced by fermentation of the above-noted microbial strains on a nutrient medium containing suitable carbon and nitrogen sources and inorganic salts, using procedures known in the art (see, e.g., Bennett, J. W. and LaSure, L. (eds.), More Gene Manipulations in Fungi, Academic Press, CA, 1991). Suitable media are available from commercial suppliers or may be prepared according to published compositions (e.g., in catalogues of the American Type Culture Collection). Temperature ranges and other conditions suitable for growth and enzyme production are known in the art (see, e.g., Bailey, J. E., and 011 is, D. F., Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals, McGraw-Hill Book Company, NY, 1986).

The fermentation can be any method of cultivation of a cell resulting in the expression or isolation of an enzyme. Fermentation may, therefore, be understood as comprising shake flask cultivation, or small- or large-scale fermentation (including continuous, batch, fed-batch, or solid state fermentations) in laboratory or industrial fermentors performed in a suitable medium and under conditions allowing the enzyme to be expressed or isolated. The resulting enzymes produced by the methods described above may be recovered from the fermentation medium and purified by conventional procedures.

Polypeptides Having Cellobiohydrolase II Activity and Polynucleotides Thereof

In the methods of the present invention, the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity may be obtained from microorganisms of any genus. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide obtained from a given source is secreted extracellularly.

A polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity may be a bacterial polypeptide. For example, the polypeptide may be a gram positive bacterial polypeptide such as a Bacillus, Streptococcus, Streptomyces, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Clostridium, Geobacillus, or Oceanobacillus polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, or a Gram negative bacterial polypeptide such as an E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Flavobacterium, Fusobacterium, Ilyobacter, Neisseria, or Ureaplasma polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity.

In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide is a Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus lautus, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, or Bacillus thuringiensis polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity.

In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide is a Streptococcus equisimilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus uberis, or Streptococcus equi subsp. Zooepidemicus polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity.

In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide is a Streptomyces achromogenes, Streptomyces avermitilis, Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces griseus, or Streptomyces lividans polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity.

The polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity may also be a fungal polypeptide, and more preferably a yeast polypeptide such as a Candida, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, or Yarrowia polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity; or more preferably a filamentous fungal polypeptide such as an Acremonium, Agaricus, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Botryospaeria, Ceriporiopsis, Chaetomidium, Chrysosporium, Claviceps, Cochliobolus, Coprinopsis, Coptotermes, Corynascus, Cryphonectria, Cryptococcus, Diplodia, Exidia, Filibasidium, Fusarium, Gibberella, Holomastigotoides, Humicola, Irpex, Lentinula, Leptospaeria, Magnaporthe, Melanocarpus, Meripilus, Mucor, Myceliophthora, Neocallimastix, Neurospora, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Phanerochaete, Piromyces, Poitrasia, Pseudoplectania, Pseudotrichonympha, Rhizomucor, Schizophyllum, Scytalidium, Talaromyces, Thermoascus, Thielavia, Tolypocladium, Trichoderma, Trichophaea, Verticillium, Volvariella, or Xylaria polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity.

In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide is a Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces diastaticus, Saccharomyces douglasii, Saccharomyces kluyveri, Saccharomyces norbensis, or Saccharomyces oviformis polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity.

In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide is an Acremonium cellulolyticus, Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus foetidus, Aspergillus japonicus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Chrysosporium lucknowense, Chrysosporium tropicum, Chrysosporium merdarium, Chrysosporium inops, Chrysosporium pannicola, Chrysosporium queenslandicum, Chrysosporium zonatum, Fusarium bactridioides, Fusarium cerealis, Fusarium crookwellense, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium graminum, Fusarium heterosporum, Fusarium negundi, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium reticulatum, Fusarium roseum, Fusarium sambucinum, Fusarium sarcochroum, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium sulphureum, Fusarium torulosum, Fusarium trichothecioides, Fusarium venenatum, Humicola grisea, Humicola insolens, Humicola lanuginosa, Irpex lacteus, Mucor miehei, Myceliophthora thermophila, Neurospora crassa, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium purpurogenum, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Thielavia achromatica, Thielavia albomyces, Thielavia albopilosa, Thielavia australeinsis, Thielavia fimeti, Thielavia microspora, Thielavia ovispora, Thielavia peruviana, Thielavia spededonium, Thielavia setosa, Thielavia subthermophila, Thielavia terrestris, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma koningii, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma viride, or Trichophaea saccata polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity.

In one aspect, the polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is a CEL6 polypeptide.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is obtained from Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75.

In one aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 30 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have cellobiohydrolase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 30.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 30. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 482 of SEQ ID NO: 30, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 482 of SEQ ID NO: 30. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 30. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 482 of SEQ ID NO: 30 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 482 of SEQ ID NO: 30.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, (ii) the cDNA sequence contained in the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 52 to 1809 of SEQ ID NO: 29.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode a active polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29. In another more preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the sequence contained in plasmid pSMai182 which is contained in E. coli NRRL B-50059. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 29. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 52 to 1809 of SEQ ID NO: 29. In another more preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region contained in plasmid pSMai182 which is contained in E. coli NRRL B-50059. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 29 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 29 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 30 that have cellobiohydrolase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is obtained from Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65.

In one aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 32 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have cellobiohydrolase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 32.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 32. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 482 of SEQ ID NO: 32, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 482 of SEQ ID NO: 32. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 32. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 482 of SEQ ID NO: 32 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 482 of SEQ ID NO: 32.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, (ii) the cDNA sequence contained in the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 52 to 1799 of SEQ ID NO: 31.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 31. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 52 to 1799 of SEQ ID NO: 31. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 31 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 31 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 32 that have cellobiohydrolase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is obtained from Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126.

In one aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 34 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have cellobiohydrolase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 34.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 34. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 481 of SEQ ID NO: 34, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 481 of SEQ ID NO: 34. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 34. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 481 of SEQ ID NO: 34 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 481 of SEQ ID NO: 34.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, (ii) the genomic DNA sequence comprising the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii) (J. Sambrook, E. F. Fritsch, and T. Maniatis, 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2d edition, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 52 to 1443 of SEQ ID NO: 33.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 33. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 52 to 1443 of SEQ ID NO: 33. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 33 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 33 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 34 that have cellobiohydrolase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is obtained from Trichoderma reesei.

In one aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 26 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have cellobiohydrolase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 26.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 26. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 25 to 471 of SEQ ID NO: 26, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 25 to 471 of SEQ ID NO: 26. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 26. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 25 to 471 of SEQ ID NO: 26 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 25 to 471 of SEQ ID NO: 26.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25, (ii) the genomic DNA sequence comprising the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 125 to 1465 of SEQ ID NO: 25.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 25. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 125 to 1465 of SEQ ID NO: 25. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 25 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 25 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 26 that have cellobiohydrolase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is obtained from Chaetomium thermophilum.

In one aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 38 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have cellobiohydrolase II activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 38.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase II activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 38. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 477 of SEQ ID NO: 38, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase II activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 477 of SEQ ID NO: 38. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase II activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 38. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 477 of SEQ ID NO: 38 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has cellobiohydrolase II activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 477 of SEQ ID NO: 38.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, (ii) the genomic DNA sequence comprising the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 15 to 1731 of SEQ ID NO: 37.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 37. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 15 to 1731 of SEQ ID NO: 37. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 37 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 37 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 38 that have cellobiohydrolase II activity.

For purposes of the present invention, hybridization indicates that the nucleotide sequence hybridizes to a labeled nucleic acid probe corresponding to the mature polypeptide coding sequence or its full-length complementary strand; under very low to very high stringency conditions. Molecules to which the nucleic acid probe hybridizes under these conditions can be detected using, for example, X-ray film. For long probes of at least 100 nucleotides in length, very low to very high stringency conditions are defined as prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 μg/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and either 25% formamide for very low and low stringencies, 35% formamide for medium and medium-high stringencies, or 50% formamide for high and very high stringencies, following standard Southern blotting procedures for 12 to 24 hours optimally. For long probes of at least 100 nucleotides in length, the carrier material is finally washed three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS preferably at least at 45° C. (very low stringency), more preferably at least at 50° C. (low stringency), more preferably at least at 55° C. (medium stringency), more preferably at least at 60° C. (medium-high stringency), even more preferably at least at 65° C. (high stringency), and most preferably at least at 70° C. (very high stringency).

The techniques used to isolate or clone a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide are known in the art and include isolation from genomic DNA, preparation from cDNA, or a combination thereof. The cloning of the polynucleotides of the present invention from such genomic DNA can be effected, e.g., by using the well known polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antibody screening of expression libraries to detect cloned DNA fragments with shared structural features. See, e.g., Innis et al., 1990, PCR: A Guide to Methods and Application, Academic Press, New York. Other nucleic acid amplification procedures such as ligase chain reaction (LCR), ligated activated transcription (LAT) and nucleotide sequence-based amplification (NASBA) may be used. The polynucleotides may be cloned from a strain of Myceliophthora, or another or related organism and thus, for example, may be an allelic or species variant of the polypeptide encoding region of the nucleotide sequence.

Polypeptides Having Xylanase Activity and Polynucleotides Thereof

In the methods of the present invention, the enzyme composition comprises a polypeptide having xylanase activity. The polypeptide having xylanase activity may be obtained from microorganisms of any genus. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide obtained from a given source is secreted extracellularly.

A polypeptide having xylanase activity may be a bacterial polypeptide. For example, the polypeptide may be a gram positive bacterial polypeptide such as a Bacillus, Streptococcus, Streptomyces, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Clostridium, Geobacillus, or Oceanobacillus polypeptide having xylanase activity, or a Gram negative bacterial polypeptide such as an E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Flavobacterium, Fusobacterium, Ilyobacter, Neisseria, or Ureaplasma polypeptide having xylanase activity.

In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide is a Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus lautus, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, or Bacillus thuringiensis polypeptide having xylanase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide is a Streptococcus equisimilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus uberis, or Streptococcus equi subsp. Zooepidemicus polypeptide having xylanase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide is a Streptomyces achromogenes, Streptomyces avermitilis, Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces griseus, or Streptomyces lividans polypeptide having xylanase activity.

The polypeptide having xylanase activity may also be a fungal polypeptide, and more preferably a yeast polypeptide such as a Candida, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, or Yarrowia polypeptide having xylanase activity; or more preferably a filamentous fungal polypeptide such as an Acremonium, Agaricus, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Botryospaeria, Ceriporiopsis, Chaetomidium, Chrysosporium, Claviceps, Cochliobolus, Coprinopsis, Coptotermes, Corynascus, Cryphonectria, Cryptococcus, Diplodia, Exidia, Filibasidium, Fusarium, Gibberella, Holomastigotoides, Humicola, Irpex, Lentinula, Leptospaeria, Magnaporthe, Melanocarpus, Meripilus, Mucor, Myceliophthora, Neocallimastix, Neurospora, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Phanerochaete, Piromyces, Poitrasia, Pseudoplectania, Pseudotrichonympha, Rhizomucor, Schizophyllum, Scytalidium, Talaromyces, Thermoascus, Thielavia, Tolypocladium, Trichoderma, Trichophaea, Verticillium, Volvariella, or Xylaria polypeptide having xylanase activity.

In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide is a Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces diastaticus, Saccharomyces douglasii, Saccharomyces kluyveri, Saccharomyces norbensis, or Saccharomyces oviformis polypeptide having xylanase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide is an Acremonium cellulolyticus, Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus foetidus, Aspergillus japonicus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Chrysosporium lucknowense, Chrysosporium tropicum, Chrysosporium merdarium, Chrysosporium inops, Chrysosporium pannicola, Chrysosporium queenslandicum, Chrysosporium zonatum, Fusarium bactridioides, Fusarium cerealis, Fusarium crookwellense, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium graminum, Fusarium heterosporum, Fusarium negundi, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium reticulatum, Fusarium roseum, Fusarium sambucinum, Fusarium sarcochroum, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium sulphureum, Fusarium torulosum, Fusarium trichothecioides, Fusarium venenatum, Humicola grisea, Humicola insolens, Humicola lanuginosa, Irpex lacteus, Mucor miehei, Myceliophthora thermophila, Neurospora crassa, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium purpurogenum, Phanerochaete chtysosporium, Thielavia achromatica, Thielavia albomyces, Thielavia albopilosa, Thielavia australeinsis, Thielavia fimeti, Thielavia microspora, Thielavia ovispora, Thielavia peruviana, Thielavia spededonium, Thielavia setosa, Thielavia subthermophila, Thielavia terrestris, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma koningii, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma viride, or Trichophaea saccata polypeptide having xylanase activity.

In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide having xylanase activity is a GH10 polypeptide. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide having xylanase activity is a GH11 polypeptide.

In another preferred aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is obtained from Aspergillus aculeatus.

In one aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 70 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have xylanase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 70.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 70. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 23 to 406 of SEQ ID NO: 70, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 23 to 406 of SEQ ID NO: 70. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 70. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 23 to 406 of SEQ ID NO: 70 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 23 to 406 of SEQ ID NO: 70.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, (ii) the genomic DNA sequence comprising the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 69 to 1314 of SEQ ID NO: 69.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 69. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 69 to 1314 of SEQ ID NO: 69. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode the polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 69 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 69 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 70 that have xylanase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is obtained from Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126.

In one aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 72 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have xylanase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 72.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 72. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 20 to 369 of SEQ ID NO: 72, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 20 to 369 of SEQ ID NO: 72. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 72. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 20 to 369 of SEQ ID NO: 72 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 20 to 369 of SEQ ID NO: 72.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71, (ii) the genomic DNA sequence comprising the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 58 to 1107 of SEQ ID NO: 71.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 71. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 58 to 1107 of SEQ ID NO: 71. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 71 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 71 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 72 that have xylanase activity.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 74 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have xylanase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 74.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 74. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 19 to 414 of SEQ ID NO: 74, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 19 to 414 of SEQ ID NO: 74. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 74. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 19 to 414 of SEQ ID NO: 74 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 19 to 414 of SEQ ID NO: 74.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73, (ii) the genomic DNA sequence comprising the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 55 to 1242 of SEQ ID NO: 73.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 73. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 55 to 1242 of SEQ ID NO: 73. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 73 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 73 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 74 that have xylanase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is obtained from Aspergillus fumigatus.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 76 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have xylanase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 76.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 76. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 364 of SEQ ID NO: 76, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 18 to 364 of SEQ ID NO: 76. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 76. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 364 of SEQ ID NO: 76 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 18 to 364 of SEQ ID NO: 76.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75, (ii) the genomic DNA sequence comprising the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 52 to 1145 of SEQ ID NO: 75.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 75. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 52 to 1145 of SEQ ID NO: 75. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 75 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 75 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 76 that have xylanase activity.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 78 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have xylanase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 78.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 78. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 20 to 323 of SEQ ID NO: 78, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 20 to 323 of SEQ ID NO: 78. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 78. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 20 to 323 of SEQ ID NO: 78 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 20 to 323 of SEQ ID NO: 78.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77, (ii) the genomic DNA sequence comprising the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 58 to 1400 of SEQ ID NO: 77.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 77. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 58 to 1400 of SEQ ID NO: 77. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 77 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 77 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 78 that have xylanase activity.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 80 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have xylanase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 80.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 80. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 20 to 397 of SEQ ID NO: 80, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 20 to 397 of SEQ ID NO: 80. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 80. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 20 to 397 of SEQ ID NO: 80 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 20 to 397 of SEQ ID NO: 80.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79, (ii) the genomic DNA sequence comprising the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 107 to 1415 of SEQ ID NO: 79.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 79. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 107 to 1415 of SEQ ID NO: 79. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 79 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 79 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 80 that have xylanase activity.

In another preferred aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is obtained from Penicillium sp.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises an amino acid sequence having a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 99 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which have xylanase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In another preferred aspect, the homologous polypeptides comprise amino acid sequences which differ preferably by ten amino acids, more preferably by five amino acids, more preferably by four amino acids, even more preferably by three amino acids, most preferably by two amino acids, and even most preferably by one amino acid from the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 99.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 99 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 99. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 99. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 24 to 403 of SEQ ID NO: 99, or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide comprises amino acids 24 to 403 of SEQ ID NO: 99. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 99 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 99. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 99. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 24 to 403 of SEQ ID NO: 99 or an allelic variant thereof; or a fragment thereof that has xylanase activity. In another preferred aspect, the polypeptide consists of amino acids 24 to 403 of SEQ ID NO: 99.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under preferably very low stringency conditions, more preferably low stringency conditions, more preferably medium stringency conditions, more preferably medium-high stringency conditions, even more preferably high stringency conditions, and most preferably very high stringency conditions with (i) the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 98, (ii) the cDNA sequence contained in the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 98, or (iii) a complementary strand of (i) or (ii). In a preferred aspect, the mature polypeptide coding sequence is nucleotides 70 to 1385 of SEQ ID NO: 98.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has a degree of identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 98 of preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, which encode an active polypeptide.

In another aspect, the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 98. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of the mature polypeptide coding region of SEQ ID NO: 98. In another preferred aspect, the nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of nucleotides 70 to 1385 of SEQ ID NO: 98. The present invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences which encode the polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 99 or the mature polypeptide thereof, which differ from SEQ ID NO: 98 or the mature polypeptide coding sequence thereof by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The present invention also relates to subsequences of SEQ ID NO: 98 which encode fragments of SEQ ID NO: 99 that have xylanase activity.

Nucleic Acid Constructs

An isolated polynucleotide encoding a cellulolytic protein, a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, or a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity may be manipulated in a variety of ways to provide for expression of the polypeptide by constructing a nucleic acid construct comprising an isolated polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide operably linked to one or more (several) control sequences that direct the expression of the coding sequence in a suitable host cell under conditions compatible with the control sequences. Manipulation of the polynucleotide's sequence prior to its insertion into a vector may be desirable or necessary depending on the expression vector. The techniques for modifying polynucleotide sequences utilizing recombinant DNA methods are well known in the art.

The control sequence may be an appropriate promoter sequence, a nucleotide sequence that is recognized by a host cell for expression of a polynucleotide encoding such a polypeptide. The promoter sequence contains transcriptional control sequences that mediate the expression of the polypeptide. The promoter may be any nucleotide sequence that shows transcriptional activity in the host cell of choice including mutant, truncated, and hybrid promoters, and may be obtained from genes encoding extracellular or intracellular polypeptides either homologous or heterologous to the host cell.

Examples of suitable promoters for directing the transcription of the nucleic acid constructs, especially in a bacterial host cell, are the promoters obtained from the E. coli lac operon, Streptomyces coelicolor agarase gene (dagA), Bacillus subtilis levansucrase gene (sacB), Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase gene (amyL), Bacillus stearothermophilus maltogenic amylase gene (amyM), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alpha-amylase gene (amyQ), Bacillus licheniformis penicillinase gene (penP), Bacillus subtilis xylA and xylB genes, and prokaryotic beta-lactamase gene (Villa-Kamaroff et al., 1978, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 75: 3727-3731), as well as the tac promoter (DeBoer et al., 1983, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 80: 21-25). Further promoters are described in “Useful proteins from recombinant bacteria” in Scientific American, 1980, 242: 74-94; and in Sambrook et al., 1989, supra.

Examples of suitable promoters for directing the transcription of the nucleic acid constructs in a filamentous fungal host cell are promoters obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Rhizomucor miehei aspartic proteinase, Aspergillus niger neutral alpha-amylase, Aspergillus niger acid stable alpha-amylase, Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus awamori glucoamylase (glaA), Rhizomucor miehei lipase, Aspergillus oryzae alkaline protease, Aspergillus oryzae triose phosphate isomerase, Aspergillus nidulans acetamidase, Fusarium venenatum amyloglucosidase (WO 00/56900), Fusarium venenatum Daria (WO 00/56900), Fusarium venenatum Quinn (WO 00/56900), Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease (WO 96/00787), Trichoderma reesei beta-glucosidase, Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I, Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II, Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I, Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase II, Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase III, Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase IV, Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase V, Trichoderma reesei xylanase I, Trichoderma reesei xylanase II, Trichoderma reesei beta-xylosidase, as well as the NA2-tpi promoter (a modified promoter including a gene encoding a neutral alpha-amylase in Aspergilli in which the untranslated leader has been replaced by an untranslated leader from a gene encoding triose phosphate isomerase in Aspergilli; non-limiting examples include modified promoters including the gene encoding neutral alpha-amylase in Aspergillus niger in which the untranslated leader has been replaced by an untranslated leader from the gene encoding triose phosphate isomerase in Aspergillus nidulans or Aspergillus oryzae); and mutant, truncated, and hybrid promoters thereof.

In a yeast host, useful promoters are obtained from the genes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase (ENO-1), Saccharomyces cerevisiae galactokinase (GAL1), Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (ADH1,ADH2/GAP), Saccharomyces cerevisiae triose phosphate isomerase (TPI), Saccharomyces cerevisiae metallothionein (CUP1), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. Other useful promoters for yeast host cells are described by Romanos et al., 1992, Yeast 8: 423-488.

The control sequence may also be a suitable transcription terminator sequence, a sequence recognized by a host cell to terminate transcription. The terminator sequence is operably linked to the 3′ terminus of the nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide. Any terminator that is functional in the host cell of choice may be used in the present invention.

Preferred terminators for filamentous fungal host cells are obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase, Aspergillus nidulans anthranilate synthase, Aspergillus niger alpha-glucosidase, and Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease.

Preferred terminators for yeast host cells are obtained from the genes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cytochrome C (CYC1), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Other useful terminators for yeast host cells are described by Romanos et al., 1992, supra.

The control sequence may also be a suitable leader sequence, a nontranslated region of an mRNA that is important for translation by the host cell. The leader sequence is operably linked to the 5′ terminus of the nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide. Any leader sequence that is functional in the host cell of choice may be used in the present invention.

Preferred leaders for filamentous fungal host cells are obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase and Aspergillus nidulans triose phosphate isomerase.

Suitable leaders for yeast host cells are obtained from the genes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase (ENO-1), Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-factor, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (ADH2/GAP).

The control sequence may also be a polyadenylation sequence, a sequence operably linked to the 3′ terminus of the nucleotide sequence and, when transcribed, is recognized by the host cell as a signal to add polyadenosine residues to transcribed mRNA. Any polyadenylation sequence that is functional in the host cell of choice may be used in the present invention.

Preferred polyadenylation sequences for filamentous fungal host cells are obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase, Aspergillus nidulans anthranilate synthase, Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease, and Aspergillus niger alpha-glucosidase.

Useful polyadenylation sequences for yeast host cells are described by Guo and Sherman, 1995, Molecular Cellular Biology 15: 5983-5990.

The control sequence may also be a signal peptide coding sequence that codes for an amino acid sequence linked to the amino terminus of a polypeptide and directs the encoded polypeptide into the cell's secretory pathway. The 5′ end of the coding sequence of the nucleotide sequence may inherently contain a signal peptide coding sequence naturally linked in translation reading frame with the segment of the coding region that encodes the secreted polypeptide. Alternatively, the 5′ end of the coding sequence may contain a signal peptide coding sequence that is foreign to the coding sequence. The foreign signal peptide coding sequence may be required where the coding sequence does not naturally contain a signal peptide coding sequence. Alternatively, the foreign signal peptide coding sequence may simply replace the natural signal peptide coding sequence in order to enhance secretion of the polypeptide. However, any signal peptide coding sequence that directs the expressed polypeptide into the secretory pathway of a host cell of choice, i.e., secreted into a culture medium, may be used in the present invention.

Effective signal peptide coding sequences for bacterial host cells are the signal peptide coding sequences obtained from the genes for Bacillus NCIB 11837 maltogenic amylase, Bacillus stearothermophilus alpha-amylase, Bacillus licheniformis subtilisin, Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase, Bacillus stearothermophilus neutral proteases (nprT, nprS, nprM), and Bacillus subtilis prsA. Further signal peptides are described by Simonen and Palva, 1993, Microbiological Reviews 57: 109-137.

Effective signal peptide coding sequences for filamentous fungal host cells are the signal peptide coding sequences obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Aspergillus niger neutral amylase, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase, Rhizomucor miehei aspartic proteinase, Humicola insolens cellulase, Humicola insolens endoglucanase V, and Humicola lanuginosa lipase.

Useful signal peptides for yeast host cells are obtained from the genes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-factor and Saccharomyces cerevisiae invertase. Other useful signal peptide coding sequences are described by Romanos et al., 1992, supra. The control sequence may also be a propeptide coding sequence that codes for an amino acid sequence positioned at the amino terminus of a polypeptide. The resultant polypeptide is known as a proenzyme or propolypeptide (or a zymogen in some cases). A propolypeptide is generally inactive and can be converted to a mature active polypeptide by catalytic or autocatalytic cleavage of the propeptide from the propolypeptide. The propeptide coding sequence may be obtained from the genes for Bacillus subtilis alkaline protease (aprE), Bacillus subtilis neutral protease (nprT), Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-factor, Rhizomucor miehei aspartic proteinase, and Myceliophthora thermophila laccase (WO 95/33836).

Where both signal peptide and propeptide sequences are present at the amino terminus of a polypeptide, the propeptide sequence is positioned next to the amino terminus of a polypeptide and the signal peptide sequence is positioned next to the amino terminus of the propeptide sequence.

It may also be desirable to add regulatory sequences that allow the regulation of the expression of the polypeptide relative to the growth of the host cell. Examples of regulatory systems are those that cause the expression of the gene to be turned on or off in response to a chemical or physical stimulus, including the presence of a regulatory compound. Regulatory systems in prokaryotic systems include the lac, tac, and trp operator systems. In yeast, the ADH2 system or GAL1 system may be used. In filamentous fungi, the TAKA alpha-amylase promoter, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase promoter, and Aspergillus oryzae glucoamylase promoter may be used as regulatory sequences. Other examples of regulatory sequences are those that allow for gene amplification. In eukaryotic systems, these regulatory sequences include the dihydrofolate reductase gene that is amplified in the presence of methotrexate, and the metallothionein genes that are amplified with heavy metals. In these cases, the nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide would be operably linked with the regulatory sequence.

Expression Vectors

The various nucleic acids and control sequences described herein may be joined together to produce a recombinant expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a cellulolytic protein, a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, or a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a promoter, and transcriptional and translational stop signals. The expression vectors may include one or more (several) convenient restriction sites to allow for insertion or substitution of the polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide at such sites. Alternatively, a polynucleotide encoding such a polypeptide may be expressed by inserting the polynucleotide sequence or a nucleic acid construct comprising the sequence into an appropriate vector for expression. In creating the expression vector, the coding sequence is located in the vector so that the coding sequence is operably linked with the appropriate control sequences for expression.

The recombinant expression vector may be any vector (e.g., a plasmid or virus) that can be conveniently subjected to recombinant DNA procedures and can bring about expression of the polynucleotide sequence. The choice of the vector will typically depend on the compatibility of the vector with the host cell into which the vector is to be introduced. The vectors may be linear or closed circular plasmids.

The vector may be an autonomously replicating vector, i.e., a vector that exists as an extrachromosomal entity, the replication of which is independent of chromosomal replication, e.g., a plasmid, an extrachromosomal element, a minichromosome, or an artificial chromosome. The vector may contain any means for assuring self-replication. Alternatively, the vector may be one that, when introduced into the host cell, is integrated into the genome and replicated together with the chromosome(s) into which it has been integrated. Furthermore, a single vector or plasmid or two or more vectors or plasmids that together contain the total DNA to be introduced into the genome of the host cell, or a transposon, may be used.

The vectors preferably contain one or more (several) selectable markers that permit easy selection of transformed, transfected, transduced, or the like cells. A selectable marker is a gene the product of which provides for biocide or viral resistance, resistance to heavy metals, prototrophy to auxotrophs, and the like.

Examples of bacterial selectable markers are the dal genes from Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus licheniformis, or markers that confer antibiotic resistance such as ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, or tetracycline resistance. Suitable markers for yeast host cells are ADE2, HIS3, LEU2, LYS2, MET3, TRP1, and URA3. Selectable markers for use in a filamentous fungal host cell include, but are not limited to, amdS (acetamidase), argB (ornithine carbamoyltransferase), bar (phosphinothricin acetyltransferase), hpt (hygromycin phosphotransferase), niaD (nitrate reductase), pyrG (orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase), sC (sulfate adenyltransferase), and trpC (anthranilate synthase), as well as equivalents thereof. Preferred for use in an Aspergillus cell are the amdS and pyrG genes of Aspergillus nidulans or Aspergillus oryzae and the bar gene of Streptomyces hygroscopicus.

The vectors preferably contain an element(s) that permits integration of the vector into the host cell's genome or autonomous replication of the vector in the cell independent of the genome.

For integration into the host cell genome, the vector may rely on the polynucleotide's sequence encoding the polypeptide or any other element of the vector for integration into the genome by homologous or nonhomologous recombination. Alternatively, the vector may contain additional nucleotide sequences for directing integration by homologous recombination into the genome of the host cell at a precise location(s) in the chromosome(s). To increase the likelihood of integration at a precise location, the integrational elements should preferably contain a sufficient number of nucleic acids, such as 100 to 10,000 base pairs, preferably 400 to 10,000 base pairs, and most preferably 800 to 10,000 base pairs, which have a high degree of identity to the corresponding target sequence to enhance the probability of homologous recombination. The integrational elements may be any sequence that is homologous with the target sequence in the genome of the host cell. Furthermore, the integrational elements may be non-encoding or encoding nucleotide sequences. On the other hand, the vector may be integrated into the genome of the host cell by non-homologous recombination.

For autonomous replication, the vector may further comprise an origin of replication enabling the vector to replicate autonomously in the host cell in question. The origin of replication may be any plasmid replicator mediating autonomous replication that functions in a cell. The term “origin of replication” or “plasmid replicator” is defined herein as a nucleotide sequence that enables a plasmid or vector to replicate in vivo.

Examples of bacterial origins of replication are the origins of replication of plasmids pBR322, pUC19, pACYC177, and pACYC184 permitting replication in E. coli, and pUB110, pE194, pTA1060, and pAMβ1 permitting replication in Bacillus.

Examples of origins of replication for use in a yeast host cell are the 2 micron origin of replication, ARS1, ARS4, the combination of ARS1 and CEN3, and the combination of ARS4 and CEN6.

Examples of origins of replication useful in a filamentous fungal cell are AMA1 and ANS1 (Gems et al., 1991, Gene 98: 61-67; Cullen et al., 1987, Nucleic Acids Research 15: 9163-9175; WO 00/24883). Isolation of the AMA1 gene and construction of plasmids or vectors comprising the gene can be accomplished according to the methods disclosed in WO 00/24883.

More than one copy of a polynucleotide encoding such a polypeptide may be inserted into the host cell to increase production of the polypeptide. An increase in the copy number of the polynucleotide can be obtained by integrating at least one additional copy of the sequence into the host cell genome or by including an amplifiable selectable marker gene with the polynucleotide where cells containing amplified copies of the selectable marker gene, and thereby additional copies of the polynucleotide, can be selected for by cultivating the cells in the presence of the appropriate selectable agent.

The procedures used to ligate the elements described above to construct the recombinant expression vectors are well known to one skilled in the art (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).

Host Cells

Recombinant host cells comprising a polynucleotide encoding a cellulolytic protein, a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, or a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity can be advantageously used in the recombinant production of the polypeptide. A vector comprising such a polynucleotide is introduced into a host cell so that the vector is maintained as a chromosomal integrant or as a self-replicating extra-chromosomal vector as described earlier. The term “host cell” encompasses any progeny of a parent cell that is not identical to the parent cell due to mutations that occur during replication. The choice of a host cell will to a large extent depend upon the gene encoding the polypeptide and its source.

The host cell may be a unicellular microorganism, e.g., a prokaryote, or a non-unicellular microorganism, e.g., a eukaryote.

The bacterial host cell may be any Gram positive bacterium or a Gram negative bacterium. Gram positive bacteria include, but not limited to, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Streptomyces, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Clostridium, Geobacillus, and Oceanobacillus. Gram negative bacteria include, but not limited to, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Flavobacterium, Fusobacterium, Ilyobacter, Neisseria, and Ureaplasma.

The bacterial host cell may be any Bacillus cell. Bacillus cells useful in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus lautus, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus thuringiensis cells.

In a preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus stearothermophilus or Bacillus subtilis cell. In a more preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens cell. In another more preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Bacillus clausii cell. In another more preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Bacillus licheniformis cell. In another more preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Bacillus subtilis cell.

The bacterial host cell may also be any Streptococcus cell. Streptococcus cells useful in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Streptococcus equisimilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus uberis, and Streptococcus equi subsp. Zooepidemicus cells.

In a preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Streptococcus equisimilis cell. In another preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Streptococcus pyogenes cell. In another preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Streptococcus uberis cell. In another preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Streptococcus equi subsp. Zooepidemicus cell.

The bacterial host cell may also be any Streptomyces cell. Streptomyces cells useful in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Streptomyces achromogenes, Streptomyces avermitilis, Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces griseus, and Streptomyces lividans cells.

In a preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Streptomyces achromogenes cell. In another preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Streptomyces avermitilis cell. In another preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Streptomyces coelicolor cell. In another preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Streptomyces griseus cell. In another preferred aspect, the bacterial host cell is a Streptomyces lividans cell.

The introduction of DNA into a Bacillus cell may, for instance, be effected by protoplast transformation (see, e.g., Chang and Cohen, 1979, Molecular General Genetics 168: 111-115), by using competent cells (see, e.g., Young and Spizizen, 1961, Journal of Bacteriology 81: 823-829, or Dubnau and Davidoff-Abelson, 1971, Journal of Molecular Biology 56: 209-221), by electroporation (see, e.g., Shigekawa and Dower, 1988, Biotechniques 6: 742-751), or by conjugation (see, e.g., Koehler and Thorne, 1987, Journal of Bacteriology 169: 5271-5278). The introduction of DNA into an E coli cell may, for instance, be effected by protoplast transformation (see, e.g., Hanahan, 1983, J. Mol. Biol. 166: 557-580) or electroporation (see, e.g., Dower et al., 1988, Nucleic Acids Res. 16: 6127-6145). The introduction of DNA into a Streptomyces cell may, for instance, be effected by protoplast transformation and electroporation (see, e.g., Gong et al., 2004, Folia Microbiol. (Praha) 49: 399-405), by conjugation (see, e.g., Mazodier et al., 1989, J. Bacteriol. 171: 3583-3585), or by transduction (see, e.g., Burke et al., 2001, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98: 6289-6294). The introduction of DNA into a Pseudomonas cell may, for instance, be effected by electroporation (see, e.g., Choi et al., 2006, J. Microbiol. Methods 64: 391-397) or by conjugation (see, e.g., Pinedo and Smets, 2005, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71: 51-57). The introduction of DNA into a Streptococcus cell may, for instance, be effected by natural competence (see, e.g., Perry and Kuramitsu, 1981, Infect. Immun. 32: 1295-1297), by protoplast transformation (see, e.g., Catt and Jollick, 1991, Microbios. 68: 189-207, by electroporation (see, e.g., Buckley et al., 1999, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65: 3800-3804) or by conjugation (see, e.g., Clewell, 1981, Microbiol. Rev. 45: 409-436). However, any method known in the art for introducing DNA into a host cell can be used.

The host cell may also be a eukaryote, such as a mammalian, insect, plant, or fungal cell.

In a preferred aspect, the host cell is a fungal cell. “Fungi” as used herein includes the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Zygomycota (as defined by Hawksworth et al., In, Ainsworth and Bisby's Dictionary of The Fungi, 8th edition, 1995, CAB International, University Press, Cambridge, UK) as well as the Oomycota (as cited in Hawksworth et al., 1995, supra, page 171) and all mitosporic fungi (Hawksworth et al., 1995, supra).

In a more preferred aspect, the fungal host cell is a yeast cell. “Yeast” as used herein includes ascosporogenous yeast (Endomycetales), basidiosporogenous yeast, and yeast belonging to the Fungi Imperfecti (Blastomycetes). Since the classification of yeast may change in the future, for the purposes of this invention, yeast shall be defined as described in Biology and Activities of Yeast (Skinner, F. A., Passmore, S. M., and Davenport, R. R., eds, Soc. App. Bacteriol. Symposium Series No. 9, 1980).

In an even more preferred aspect, the yeast host cell is a Candida, Hansenula, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, or Yarrowia cell.

In a most preferred aspect, the yeast host cell is a Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces diastaticus, Saccharomyces douglasii, Saccharomyces kluyveri, Saccharomyces norbensis, or Saccharomyces oviformis cell. In another most preferred aspect, the yeast host cell is a Kluyveromyces lactis cell. In another most preferred aspect, the yeast host cell is a Yarrowia lipolytica cell.

In another more preferred aspect, the fungal host cell is a filamentous fungal cell. “Filamentous fungi” include all filamentous forms of the subdivision Eumycota and Oomycota (as defined by Hawksworth et al., 1995, supra). The filamentous fungi are generally characterized by a mycelial wall composed of chitin, cellulose, glucan, chitosan, mannan, and other complex polysaccharides. Vegetative growth is by hyphal elongation and carbon catabolism is obligately aerobic. In contrast, vegetative growth by yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae is by budding of a unicellular thallus and carbon catabolism may be fermentative.

In an even more preferred aspect, the filamentous fungal host cell is an Acremonium, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Bjerkandera, Ceriporiopsis, Chrysosporium, Coprinus, Coriolus, Cryptococcus, Filibasidium, Fusarium, Humicola, Magnaporthe, Mucor, Myceliophthora, Neocallimastix, Neurospora, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Phanerochaete, Phlebia, Piromyces, Pleurotus, Schizophyllum, Talaromyces, Thermoascus, Thielavia, Tolypocladium, Trametes, or Trichoderma cell.

In a most preferred aspect, the filamentous fungal host cell is an Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus foetidus, Aspergillus japonicus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus oryzae cell. In another most preferred aspect, the filamentous fungal host cell is a Fusarium bactridioides, Fusarium cerealis, Fusarium crookwellense, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium graminum, Fusarium heterosporum, Fusarium negundi, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium reticulatum, Fusarium roseum, Fusarium sambucinum, Fusarium sarcochroum, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium sulphureum, Fusarium torulosum, Fusarium trichothecioides, or Fusarium venenatum cell. In another most preferred aspect, the filamentous fungal host cell is a Bjerkandera adusta, Ceriporiopsis aneirina, Ceriporiopsis aneirina, Ceriporiopsis caregiea, Ceriporiopsis gilvescens, Ceriporiopsis pannocinta, Ceriporiopsis rivulosa, Ceriporiopsis subrufa, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Chrysosporium lucknowense, Chrysosporium tropicum, Chrysosporium merdarium, Chrysosporium inops, Chrysosporium pannicola, Chrysosporium queenslandicum, Chrysosporium zonatum, Coprinus cinereus, Coriolus hirsutus, Humicola insolens, Humicola lanuginosa, Mucor miehei, Myceliophthora thermophila, Neurospora crassa, Penicillium purpurogenum, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Phlebia radiata, Pleurotus eryngii, Thielavia terrestris, Trametes villosa, Trametes versicolor, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma koningii, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Trichoderma reesei, or Trichoderma viride cell.

Fungal cells may be transformed by a process involving protoplast formation, transformation of the protoplasts, and regeneration of the cell wall in a manner known per se. Suitable procedures for transformation of Aspergillus and Trichoderma host cells are described in EP 238 023 and Yelton et al., 1984, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 81: 1470-1474. Suitable methods for transforming Fusarium species are described by Malardier et al., 1989, Gene 78: 147-156, and WO 96/00787. Yeast may be transformed using the procedures described by Becker and Guarente, In Abelson, J. N. and Simon, M. I., editors, Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology, Methods in Enzymology, Volume 194, pp 182-187, Academic Press, Inc., New York; Ito et al., 1983, Journal of Bacteriology 153: 163; and Hinnen et al., 1978, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 75: 1920.

Methods of Production

Methods for producing a cellulolytic protein, a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, or a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, comprise (a) cultivating a cell, which in its wild-type form is capable of producing the polypeptide, under conditions conducive for production of the polypeptide; and (b) recovering the polypeptide.

Alternatively, methods for producing cellulolytic protein, a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, or combinations thereof, comprise (a) cultivating a recombinant host cell under conditions conducive for production of the polypeptide; and (b) recovering the polypeptide.

In the production methods, the cells are cultivated in a nutrient medium suitable for production of the polypeptide using methods well known in the art. For example, the cell may be cultivated by shake flask cultivation, and small-scale or large-scale fermentation (including continuous, batch, fed-batch, or solid state fermentations) in laboratory or industrial fermentors performed in a suitable medium and under conditions allowing the polypeptide to be expressed and/or isolated. The cultivation takes place in a suitable nutrient medium comprising carbon and nitrogen sources and inorganic salts, using procedures known in the art. Suitable media are available from commercial suppliers or may be prepared according to published compositions (e.g., in catalogues of the American Type Culture Collection). If the polypeptide is secreted into the nutrient medium, the polypeptide can be recovered directly from the medium. If the polypeptide is not secreted into the medium, it can be recovered from cell lysates.

The polypeptides are detected using the methods described herein. The resulting broth may be used as is or the polypeptide may be recovered using methods known in the art. For example, the polypeptide may be recovered from the nutrient medium by conventional procedures including, but not limited to, centrifugation, filtration, extraction, spray-drying, evaporation, or precipitation.

The polypeptides may be purified by a variety of procedures known in the art including, but not limited to, chromatography (e.g., ion exchange, affinity, hydrophobic, chromatofocusing, and size exclusion), electrophoretic procedures (e.g., preparative isoelectric focusing), differential solubility (e.g., ammonium sulfate precipitation), SDS-PAGE, or extraction (see, e.g., Protein Purification, J.-C. Janson and Lars Ryden, editors, VCH Publishers, New York, 1989) to obtain substantially pure polypeptides.

Methods for Processing Cellulosic Material

The compositions and methods of the present invention can be used to hydrolyze (saccharify) a cellulosic material, e.g., lignocellulose, to fermentable sugars and convert the fermentable sugars to many useful substances, e.g., chemicals and fuels. The production of a desired fermentation product from cellulosic material typically involves pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis (saccharification), and fermentation.

The processing of cellulosic material according to the present invention can be accomplished using processes conventional in the art. Moreover, the methods of the present invention can be implemented using any conventional biomass processing apparatus configured to operate in accordance with the invention.

Hydrolysis (saccharification) and fermentation, separate or simultaneous, include, but are not limited to, separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF); simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF); simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation (SSCF); hybrid hydrolysis and fermentation (HHF); separate hydrolysis and co-fermentation (SHCF); hybrid hydrolysis and fermentation (HHCF); and direct microbial conversion (DMC). SHF uses separate process steps to first enzymatically hydrolyze cellulosic material to fermentable sugars, e.g., glucose, cellobiose, cellotriose, and pentose sugars, and then ferment the fermentable sugars to ethanol. In SSF, the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic material and the fermentation of sugars to ethanol are combined in one step (Philippidis, G. P., 1996, Cellulose bioconversion technology, in Handbook on Bioethanol: Production and Utilization, Wyman, C. E., ed., Taylor & Francis, Washington, D.C., 179-212). SSCF involves the cofermentation of multiple sugars (Sheehan, J., and Himmel, M., 1999, Enzymes, energy and the environment: A strategic perspective on the U.S. Department of Energy's research and development activities for bioethanol, Biotechnol. Prog. 15: 817-827). HHF involves a separate hydrolysis step, and in addition a simultaneous saccharification and hydrolysis step, which can be carried out in the same reactor. The steps in an HHF process can be carried out at different temperatures, i.e., high temperature enzymatic saccharification followed by SSF at a lower temperature that the fermentation strain can tolerate. DMC combines all three processes (enzyme production, hydrolysis, and fermentation) in one or more steps where the same organism is used to produce the enzymes for conversion of the cellulosic material to fermentable sugars and to convert the fermentable sugars into a final product (Lynd, L. R., Weimer, P. J., van Zyl, W. H., and Pretorius, I. S., 2002, Microbial cellulose utilization: Fundamentals and biotechnology, Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Reviews 66: 506-577). It is understood herein that any method known in the art comprising pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis (saccharification), fermentation, or a combination thereof can be used in the practicing the methods of the present invention.

A conventional apparatus can include a fed-batch stirred reactor, a batch stirred reactor, a continuous flow stirred reactor with ultrafiltration, and/or a continuous plug-flow column reactor (Fernanda de Castilhos Corazza, Flávio Faria de Moraes, Gisella Maria Zanin and Ivo Neitzel, 2003, Optimal control in fed-batch reactor for the cellobiose hydrolysis, Acta Scientiarum. Technology 25: 33-38; Gusakov, A. V., and Sinitsyn, A. P., 1985, Kinetics of the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose: 1. A mathematical model for a batch reactor process, Enz. Microb. Technol. 7: 346-352), an attrition reactor (Ryu, S. K., and Lee, J. M., 1983, Bioconversion of waste cellulose by using an attrition bioreactor, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 25: 53-65), or a reactor with intensive stirring induced by an electromagnetic field (Gusakov, A. V., Sinitsyn, A. P., Davydkin, I. Y., Davydkin, V. Y., Protas, O. V., 1996, Enhancement of enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis using a novel type of bioreactor with intensive stirring induced by electromagnetic field, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 56: 141-153). Additional reactor types include: fluidized bed, upflow blanket, immobilized, and extruder type reactors for hydrolysis and/or fermentation.

Pretreatment.

In practicing the methods of the present invention, any pretreatment process known in the art can be used to disrupt plant cell wall components of cellulosic material (Chandra et al., 2007, Substrate pretreatment: The key to effective enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosics? Adv. Biochem. Engin./Biotechnol. 108: 67-93; Galbe and Zacchi, 2007, Pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials for efficient bioethanol production, Adv. Biochem. Engin./Biotechnol. 108: 41-65; Hendriks and Zeeman, 2009, Pretreatments to enhance the digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass, Bioresource Technol. 100: 10-18; Mosier et al., 2005, Features of promising technologies for pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass, Bioresource Technol. 96: 673-686; Taherzadeh and Karimi, 2008, Pretreatment of lignocellulosic wastes to improve ethanol and biogas production: A review, Int. J. of Mol. Sci. 9: 1621-1651; Yang and Wyman, 2008, Pretreatment: the key to unlocking low-cost cellulosic ethanol, Biofuels Bioproducts and Biorefining-Biofpr. 2: 26-40).

The cellulosic material can also be subjected to particle size reduction, pre-soaking, wetting, washing, or conditioning prior to pretreatment using methods known in the art.

Conventional pretreatments include, but are not limited to, steam pretreatment (with or without explosion), dilute acid pretreatment, hot water pretreatment, alkaline pretreatment, lime pretreatment, wet oxidation, wet explosion, ammonia fiber explosion, organosolv pretreatment, and biological pretreatment. Additional pretreatments include ammonia percolation, ultrasound, electroporation, microwave, supercritical CO₂, supercritical H₂O, ozone, and gamma irradiation pretreatments.

The cellulosic material can be pretreated before hydrolysis and/or fermentation. Pretreatment is preferably performed prior to the hydrolysis. Alternatively, the pretreatment can be carried out simultaneously with enzyme hydrolysis to release fermentable sugars, such as glucose, xylose, and/or cellobiose. In most cases the pretreatment step itself results in some conversion of biomass to fermentable sugars (even in absence of enzymes).

Steam Pretreatment. In steam pretreatment, cellulosic material is heated to disrupt the plant cell wall components, including lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose to make the cellulose and other fractions, e.g., hemicellulose, accessible to enzymes. Cellulosic material is passed to or through a reaction vessel where steam is injected to increase the temperature to the required temperature and pressure and is retained therein for the desired reaction time. Steam pretreatment is preferably done at 140-230° C., more preferably 160-200° C., and most preferably 170-190° C., where the optimal temperature range depends on any addition of a chemical catalyst. Residence time for the steam pretreatment is preferably 1-15 minutes, more preferably 3-12 minutes, and most preferably 4-10 minutes, where the optimal residence time depends on temperature range and any addition of a chemical catalyst. Steam pretreatment allows for relatively high solids loadings, so that cellulosic material is generally only moist during the pretreatment. The steam pretreatment is often combined with an explosive discharge of the material after the pretreatment, which is known as steam explosion, that is, rapid flashing to atmospheric pressure and turbulent flow of the material to increase the accessible surface area by fragmentation (Duff and Murray, 1996, Bioresource Technology 855: 1-33; Galbe and Zacchi, 2002, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 59: 618-628; U.S. Patent Application No. 20020164730). During steam pretreatment, hemicellulose acetyl groups are cleaved and the resulting acid autocatalyzes partial hydrolysis of the hemicellulose to monosaccharides and oligosaccharides. Lignin is removed to only a limited extent.

A catalyst such as H₂SO₄ or SO₂ (typically 0.3 to 3% w/w) is often added prior to steam pretreatment, which decreases the time and temperature, increases the recovery, and improves enzymatic hydrolysis (Ballesteros et al., 2006, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 129-132: 496-508; Varga et al., 2004, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 113-116: 509-523; Sassner et al., 2006, Enzyme Microb. Technol. 39: 756-762).

Chemical Pretreatment The term “chemical treatment” refers to any chemical pretreatment that promotes the separation and/or release of cellulose, hemicellulose, and/or lignin. Examples of suitable chemical pretreatment processes include, for example, dilute acid pretreatment, lime pretreatment, wet oxidation, ammonia fiber/freeze explosion (AFEX), ammonia percolation (APR), and organosolv pretreatments.

In dilute acid pretreatment, cellulosic material is mixed with dilute acid, typically H₂SO₄, and water to form a slurry, heated by steam to the desired temperature, and after a residence time flashed to atmospheric pressure. The dilute acid pretreatment can be performed with a number of reactor designs, e.g., plug-flow reactors, counter-current reactors, or continuous counter-current shrinking bed reactors (Duff and Murray, 1996, supra; Schell et al., 2004, Bioresource Technol. 91: 179-188; Lee et al., 1999, Adv. Biochem. Eng. Biotechnol. 65: 93-115).

Several methods of pretreatment under alkaline conditions can also be used. These alkaline pretreatments include, but are not limited to, lime pretreatment, wet oxidation, ammonia percolation (APR), and ammonia fiber/freeze explosion (AFEX).

Lime pretreatment is performed with calcium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, or ammonia at low temperatures of 85-150° C. and residence times from 1 hour to several days (Wyman et al., 2005, Bioresource Technol. 96: 1959-1966; Mosier et al., 2005, Bioresource Technol. 96: 673-686). WO 2006/110891, WO 2006/11899, WO 2006/11900, and WO 2006/110901 disclose pretreatment methods using ammonia.

Wet oxidation is a thermal pretreatment performed typically at 180-200° C. for 5-15 minutes with addition of an oxidative agent such as hydrogen peroxide or over-pressure of oxygen (Schmidt and Thomsen, 1998, Bioresource Technol. 64: 139-151; Palonen et al., 2004, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 117: 1-17; Varga et al., 2004, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 88: 567-574; Martin et al., 2006, J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 81: 1669-1677). The pretreatment is performed at preferably 1-40% dry matter, more preferably 2-30% dry matter, and most preferably 5-20% dry matter, and often the initial pH is increased by the addition of alkali such as sodium carbonate.

A modification of the wet oxidation pretreatment method, known as wet explosion (combination of wet oxidation and steam explosion), can handle dry matter up to 30%. In wet explosion, the oxidizing agent is introduced during pretreatment after a certain residence time. The pretreatment is then ended by flashing to atmospheric pressure (WO 2006/032282).

Ammonia fiber explosion (AFEX) involves treating cellulosic material with liquid or gaseous ammonia at moderate temperatures such as 90-100° C. and high pressure such as 17-20 bar for 5-10 minutes, where the dry matter content can be as high as 60% (Gollapalli et al., 2002, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 98: 23-35; Chundawat et al., 2007, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 96: 219-231; Alizadeh et al., 2005, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 121: 1133-1141; Teymouri et al., 2005, Bioresource Technol. 96: 2014-2018). AFEX pretreatment results in the depolymerization of cellulose and partial hydrolysis of hemicellulose. Lignin-carbohydrate complexes are cleaved.

Organosolv pretreatment delignifies cellulosic material by extraction using aqueous ethanol (40-60% ethanol) at 160-200° C. for 30-60 minutes (Pan et al., 2005, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 90: 473-481; Pan et al., 2006, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 94: 851-861; Kurabi et al., 2005, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 121: 219-230). Sulphuric acid is usually added as a catalyst. In organosolv pretreatment, the majority of hemicellulose is removed.

Other examples of suitable pretreatment methods are described by Schell et al., 2003, Appl. Biochem. and Biotechnol. Vol. 105-108, p. 69-85, and Mosier et al., 2005, Bioresource Technology 96: 673-686, and U.S. Published Application 2002/0164730.

In one aspect, the chemical pretreatment is preferably carried out as an acid treatment, and more preferably as a continuous dilute and/or mild acid treatment. The acid is typically sulfuric acid, but other acids can also be used, such as acetic acid, citric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, hydrogen chloride, or mixtures thereof. Mild acid treatment is conducted in the pH range of preferably 1-5, more preferably 1-4, and most preferably 1-3. In one aspect, the acid concentration is in the range from preferably 0.01 to 20 wt % acid, more preferably 0.05 to 10 wt % acid, even more preferably 0.1 to 5 wt % acid, and most preferably 0.2 to 2.0 wt % acid. The acid is contacted with cellulosic material and held at a temperature in the range of preferably 160-220° C., and more preferably 165-195° C., for periods ranging from seconds to minutes to, e.g., 1 second to 60 minutes.

In another aspect, pretreatment is carried out as an ammonia fiber explosion step (AFEX pretreatment step).

In another aspect, pretreatment takes place in an aqueous slurry. In preferred aspects, cellulosic material is present during pretreatment in amounts preferably between 10-80 wt %, more preferably between 20-70 wt %, and most preferably between 30-60 wt %, such as around 50 wt %. The pretreated cellulosic material can be unwashed or washed using any method known in the art, e.g., washed with water.

Mechanical Pretreatment: The term “mechanical pretreatment” refers to various types of grinding or milling (e.g., dry milling, wet milling, or vibratory ball milling).

Physical Pretreatment: The term “physical pretreatment” refers to any pretreatment that promotes the separation and/or release of cellulose, hemicellulose, and/or lignin from cellulosic material. For example, physical pretreatment can involve irradiation (e.g., microwave irradiation), steaming/steam explosion, hydrothermolysis, and combinations thereof.

Physical pretreatment can involve high pressure and/or high temperature (steam explosion). In one aspect, high pressure means pressure in the range of preferably about 300 to about 600 psi, more preferably about 350 to about 550 psi, and most preferably about 400 to about 500 psi, such as around 450 psi. In another aspect, high temperature means temperatures in the range of about 100 to about 300° C., preferably about 140 to about 235° C. In a preferred aspect, mechanical pretreatment is performed in a batch-process, steam gun hydrolyzer system that uses high pressure and high temperature as defined above, e.g., a Sunds Hydrolyzer available from Sunds Defibrator AB, Sweden.

Combined Physical and Chemical Pretreatment: Cellulosic material can be pretreated both physically and chemically. For instance, the pretreatment step can involve dilute or mild acid treatment and high temperature and/or pressure treatment. The physical and chemical pretreatments can be carried out sequentially or simultaneously, as desired. A mechanical pretreatment can also be included.

Accordingly, in a preferred aspect, cellulosic material is subjected to mechanical, chemical, or physical pretreatment, or any combination thereof, to promote the separation and/or release of cellulose, hemicellulose, and/or lignin.

Biological Pretreatment: The term “biological pretreatment” refers to any biological pretreatment that promotes the separation and/or release of cellulose, hemicellulose, and/or lignin from cellulosic material. Biological pretreatment techniques can involve applying lignin-solubilizing microorganisms (see, for example, Hsu, T.-A., 1996, Pretreatment of biomass, in Handbook on Bioethanol: Production and Utilization, Wyman, C. E., ed., Taylor & Francis, Washington, D.C., 179-212; Ghosh and Singh, 1993, Physicochemical and biological treatments for enzymatic/microbial conversion of cellulosic biomass, Adv. Appl. Microbiol. 39: 295-333; McMillan, J. D., 1994, Pretreating lignocellulosic biomass: a review, in Enzymatic Conversion of Biomass for Fuels Production, Himmel, M. E., Baker, J. O., and Overend, R. P., eds., ACS Symposium Series 566, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., chapter 15; Gong, C. S., Cao, N. J., Du, J., and Tsao, G. T., 1999, Ethanol production from renewable resources, in Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology, Scheper, T., ed., Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, Germany, 65: 207-241; Olsson and Hahn-Hagerdal, 1996, Fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates for ethanol production, Enz. Microb. Tech. 18: 312-331; and Vallander and Eriksson, 1990, Production of ethanol from lignocellulosic materials: State of the art, Adv. Biochem. Eng./Biotechnol. 42: 63-95).

Saccharification.

In the hydrolysis step, also known as saccharification, the pretreated cellulosic material is hydrolyzed to break down cellulose and alternatively also hemicellulose to fermentable sugars, such as glucose, cellobiose, xylose, xylulose, arabinose, mannose, galactose, and/or soluble oligosaccharides. The hydrolysis is performed enzymatically using an enzyme composition in the presence of a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and a polypeptide having xylanase activity. The composition can further comprise one or more hemicellulolytic enzymes. The enzymes of the compositions can also be added sequentially.

Enzymatic hydrolysis is preferably carried out in a suitable aqueous environment under conditions that can be readily determined by one skilled in the art. In a preferred aspect, hydrolysis is performed under conditions suitable for the activity of the enzyme(s), i.e., optimal for the enzyme(s). The hydrolysis can be carried out as a fed batch or continuous process where the pretreated cellulosic material (substrate) is fed gradually to, for example, an enzyme containing hydrolysis solution.

The saccharification is generally performed in stirred-tank reactors or fermentors under controlled pH, temperature, and mixing conditions. Suitable process time, temperature and pH conditions can readily be determined by one skilled in the art. For example, the saccharification can last up to 200 hours, but is typically performed for preferably about 12 to about 96 hours, more preferably about 16 to about 72 hours, and most preferably about 24 to about 48 hours. The temperature is in the range of preferably about 25° C. to about 70° C., more preferably about 30° C. to about 65° C., and more preferably about 40° C. to 60° C., in particular about 50° C. The pH is in the range of preferably about 3 to about 8, more preferably about 3.5 to about 7, and most preferably about 4 to about 6, in particular about pH 5. The dry solids content is in the range of preferably about 5 to about 50 wt %, more preferably about 10 to about 40 wt %, and most preferably about 20 to about 30 wt %.

The enzyme composition preferably comprises a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more (several) cellulolytic proteins selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase.

The optimum amounts of the enzymes and polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity depend on several factors including, but not limited to, the mixture of component cellulolytic proteins, the cellulosic substrate, the concentration of cellulosic substrate, the pretreatment(s) of the cellulosic substrate, temperature, time, pH, and inclusion of fermenting organism (e.g., yeast for Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation).

In one aspect, an effective amount of cellulolytic protein(s) to cellulosic material is about 0.5 to about 50 mg, preferably at about 0.5 to about 40 mg, more preferably at about 0.5 to about 25 mg, more preferably at about 0.75 to about 20 mg, more preferably at about 0.75 to about 15 mg, even more preferably at about 0.5 to about 10 mg, and most preferably at about 2.5 to about 10 mg per g of cellulosic material.

In another aspect, an effective amount of polypeptide(s) having cellulolytic enhancing activity to cellulosic material is about 0.01 to about 50.0 mg, preferably about 0.01 to about 40 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 30 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 20 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 10 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 5 mg, more preferably at about 0.025 to about 1.5 mg, more preferably at about 0.05 to about 1.25 mg, more preferably at about 0.075 to about 1.25 mg, more preferably at about 0.1 to about 1.25 mg, even more preferably at about 0.15 to about 1.25 mg, and most preferably at about 0.25 to about 1.0 mg per g of cellulosic material.

In another aspect, an effective amount of polypeptide(s) having cellulolytic enhancing activity to cellulolytic protein(s) is about 0.005 to about 1.0 g, preferably at about 0.01 to about 1.0 g, more preferably at about 0.15 to about 0.75 g, more preferably at about 0.15 to about 0.5 g, more preferably at about 0.1 to about 0.5 g, even more preferably at about 0.1 to about 0.5 g, and most preferably at about 0.05 to about 0.2 g per g of cellulolytic protein(s).

In another aspect, an effective amount of polypeptide(s) having cellobiohydrolase II activity to cellulosic material is about 0.01 to about 50.0 mg, preferably about 0.01 to about 40 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 30 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 20 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 10 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 5 mg, more preferably at about 0.025 to about 1.5 mg, more preferably at about 0.05 to about 1.25 mg, more preferably at about 0.075 to about 1.25 mg, more preferably at about 0.1 to about 1.25 mg, even more preferably at about 0.15 to about 1.25 mg, and most preferably at about 0.25 to about 1.0 mg per g of cellulosic material.

In another aspect, an effective amount of polypeptide(s) having cellobiohydrolase II activity to cellulolytic protein(s) is about 0.005 to about 1.0 g, preferably at about 0.01 to about 1.0 g, more preferably at about 0.15 to about 0.75 g, more preferably at about 0.15 to about 0.5 g, more preferably at about 0.1 to about 0.5 g, even more preferably at about 0.1 to about 0.5 g, and most preferably at about 0.05 to about 0.2 g per g of cellulolytic protein(s).

In another aspect, an effective amount of polypeptide(s) having xylanase activity to cellulosic material is about 0.01 to about 50.0 mg, preferably about 0.01 to about 40 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 30 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 20 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 10 mg, more preferably about 0.01 to about 5 mg, more preferably at about 0.025 to about 1.5 mg, more preferably at about 0.025 to about 1.25 mg, more preferably at about 0.05 to about 1.25 mg, more preferably at about 0.05 to about 1.25 mg, even more preferably at about 0.05 to about 1.0 mg, and most preferably at about 0.05 to about 0.75 mg per g of cellulosic material.

In another aspect, an effective amount of polypeptide(s) having xylanase activity to cellulolytic protein(s) is about 0.005 to about 1.0 g, preferably at about 0.01 to about 1.0 g, more preferably at about 0.15 to about 0.75 g, more preferably at about 0.15 to about 0.5 g, more preferably at about 0.1 to about 0.5 g, even more preferably at about 0.1 to about 0.5 g, and most preferably at about 0.05 to about 0.2 g per g of cellulolytic protein(s).

Fermentation.

The fermentable sugars obtained from the pretreated and hydrolyzed cellulosic material can be fermented by one or more fermenting microorganisms capable of fermenting the sugars directly or indirectly into a desired fermentation product. “Fermentation” or “fermentation process” refers to any fermentation process or any process comprising a fermentation step. Fermentation processes also include fermentation processes used in the consumable alcohol industry (e.g., beer and wine), dairy industry (e.g., fermented dairy products), leather industry, and tobacco industry. The fermentation conditions depend on the desired fermentation product and fermenting organism and can easily be determined by one skilled in the art.

In the fermentation step, sugars, released from cellulosic material as a result of the pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis steps, are fermented to a product, e.g., ethanol, by a fermenting organism, such as yeast. Hydrolysis (saccharification) and fermentation can be separate or simultaneous, as described herein.

Any suitable hydrolyzed cellulosic material can be used in the fermentation step in practicing the present invention. The material is generally selected based on the desired fermentation product, i.e., the substance to be obtained from the fermentation, and the process employed, as is well known in the art.

The term “fermentation medium” is understood herein to refer to a medium before the fermenting microorganism(s) is(are) added, such as, a medium resulting from a saccharification process, as well as a medium used in a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process (SSF).

“Fermenting microorganism” refers to any microorganism, including bacterial and fungal organisms, suitable for use in a desired fermentation process to produce a fermentation product. The fermenting organism can be C₆ and/or C₅ fermenting organisms, or a combination thereof. Both C₆ and C₅ fermenting organisms are well known in the art. Suitable fermenting microorganisms are able to ferment, i.e., convert, sugars, such as glucose, xylose, xylulose, arabinose, maltose, mannose, galactose, or oligosaccharides, directly or indirectly into the desired fermentation product.

Examples of bacterial and fungal fermenting organisms producing ethanol are described by Lin et al., 2006, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 69: 627-642.

Examples of fermenting microorganisms that can ferment C6 sugars include bacterial and fungal organisms, such as yeast. Preferred yeast includes strains of the Saccharomyces spp., preferably Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Examples of fermenting organisms that can ferment C5 sugars include bacterial and fungal organisms, such as yeast. Preferred C5 fermenting yeast include strains of Pichia, preferably Pichia stipitis, such as Pichia stipitis CBS 5773; strains of Candida, preferably Candida boidinii, Candida brassicae, Candida sheatae, Candida diddensii, Candida pseudotropicalis, or Candida utilis.

Other fermenting organisms include strains of Zymomonas, such as Zymomonas mobilis; Hansenula, such as Hansenula anomala; Kluyveromyces, such as K. fragilis; Schizosaccharomyces, such as S. pombe; and E. coli, especially E. coli strains that have been genetically modified to improve the yield of ethanol.

In a preferred aspect, the yeast is a Saccharomyces spp. In a more preferred aspect, the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Saccharomyces distaticus. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Saccharomyces uvarum. In another preferred aspect, the yeast is a Kluyveromyces. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Kluyveromyces marxianus. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Kluyveromyces fragilis. In another preferred aspect, the yeast is a Candida. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Candida boidinii. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Candida brassicae. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Candida diddensii. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Candida pseudotropicalis. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Candida utilis. In another preferred aspect, the yeast is a Clavispora. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Clavispora lusitaniae. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Clavispora opuntiae. In another preferred aspect, the yeast is a Pachysolen. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Pachysolen tannophilus. In another preferred aspect, the yeast is a Pichia. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is a Pichia stipitis. In another preferred aspect, the yeast is a Bretannomyces. In another more preferred aspect, the yeast is Bretannomyces clausenii (Philippidis, G. P., 1996, Cellulose bioconversion technology, in Handbook on Bioethanol: Production and Utilization, Wyman, C. E., ed., Taylor & Francis, Washington, D.C., 179-212).

Bacteria that can efficiently ferment hexose and pentose to ethanol include, for example, Zymomonas mobilis and Clostridium thermocellum (Philippidis, 1996, supra).

In a preferred aspect, the bacterium is a Zymomonas. In a more preferred aspect, the bacterium is Zymomonas mobilis. In another preferred aspect, the bacterium is a Clostridium. In another more preferred aspect, the bacterium is Clostridium thermocellum.

Commercially available yeast suitable for ethanol production includes, e.g., ETHANOL RED™ yeast (available from Fermentis/Lesaffre, USA), FALI™ (available from Fleischmann's Yeast, USA), SUPERSTART™ and THERMOSACC™ fresh yeast (available from Ethanol Technology, WI, USA), BIOFERM™ AFT and XR (available from NABC—North American Bioproducts Corporation, GA, USA), GERT STRAND™ (available from Gert Strand AB, Sweden), and FERMIOL™ (available from DSM Specialties).

In a preferred aspect, the fermenting microorganism has been genetically modified to provide the ability to ferment pentose sugars, such as xylose utilizing, arabinose utilizing, and xylose and arabinose co-utilizing microorganisms.

The cloning of heterologous genes into various fermenting microorganisms has led to the construction of organisms capable of converting hexoses and pentoses to ethanol (cofermentation) (Chen and Ho, 1993, Cloning and improving the expression of Pichia stipitis xylose reductase gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 39-40: 135-147; Ho et al., 1998, Genetically engineered Saccharomyces yeast capable of effectively cofermenting glucose and xylose, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64: 1852-1859; Kotter and Ciriacy, 1993, Xylose fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 38: 776-783; Walfridsson et al., 1995, Xylose-metabolizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains overexpressing the TKL1 and TAL1 genes encoding the pentose phosphate pathway enzymes transketolase and transaldolase, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61: 4184-4190; Kuyper et al., 2004, Minimal metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for efficient anaerobic xylose fermentation: a proof of principle, FEMS Yeast Research 4: 655-664; Beall et al., 1991, Parametric studies of ethanol production from xylose and other sugars by recombinant Escherichia coli, Biotech. Bioeng. 38: 296-303; Ingram et al., 1998, Metabolic engineering of bacteria for ethanol production, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 58: 204-214; Zhang et al., 1995, Metabolic engineering of a pentose metabolism pathway in ethanologenic Zymomonas mobilis, Science 267: 240-243; Deanda et al., 1996, Development of an arabinose-fermenting Zymomonas mobilis strain by metabolic pathway engineering, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62: 4465-4470; WO 2003/062430, xylose isomerase).

In a preferred aspect, the genetically modified fermenting microorganism is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In another preferred aspect, the genetically modified fermenting microorganism is Zymomonas mobilis. In another preferred aspect, the genetically modified fermenting microorganism is Escherichia coli. In another preferred aspect, the genetically modified fermenting microorganism is Klebsiella oxytoca. In another preferred aspect, the genetically modified fermenting microorganism is Kluyveromyces sp.

It is well known in the art that the organisms described above can also be used to produce other substances, as described herein.

The fermenting microorganism is typically added to the degraded lignocellulose or hydrolysate and the fermentation is performed for about 8 to about 96 hours, such as about 24 to about 60 hours. The temperature is typically between about 26° C. to about 60° C., in particular about 32° C. or 50° C., and at about pH 3 to about pH 8, such as around pH 4-5, 6, or 7.

In a preferred aspect, the yeast and/or another microorganism is applied to the degraded cellulosic material and the fermentation is performed for about 12 to about 96 hours, such as typically 24-60 hours. In a preferred aspect, the temperature is preferably between about 20° C. to about 60° C., more preferably about 25° C. to about 50° C., and most preferably about 32° C. to about 50° C., in particular about 32° C. or 50° C., and the pH is generally from about pH 3 to about pH 7, preferably around pH 4-7. However, some fermenting organisms, e.g., bacteria, have higher fermentation temperature optima. Yeast or another microorganism is preferably applied in amounts of approximately 10⁵ to 10¹², preferably from approximately 10⁷ to 10¹⁰, especially approximately 2×10⁸ viable cell count per ml of fermentation broth. Further guidance in respect of using yeast for fermentation can be found in, e.g., “The Alcohol Textbook” (Editors K. Jacques, T. P. Lyons and D. R. Kelsall, Nottingham University Press, United Kingdom 1999), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

For ethanol production, following the fermentation the fermented slurry is distilled to extract the ethanol. The ethanol obtained according to the methods of the invention can be used as, e.g., fuel ethanol, drinking ethanol, i.e., potable neutral spirits, or industrial ethanol.

A fermentation stimulator can be used in combination with any of the processes described herein to further improve the fermentation process, and in particular, the performance of the fermenting microorganism, such as, rate enhancement and ethanol yield. A “fermentation stimulator” refers to stimulators for growth of the fermenting microorganisms, in particular, yeast. Preferred fermentation stimulators for growth include vitamins and minerals. Examples of vitamins include multivitamins, biotin, pantothenate, nicotinic acid, meso-inositol, thiamine, pyridoxine, para-aminobenzoic acid, folic acid, riboflavin, and Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. See, for example, Alfenore et al., Improving ethanol production and viability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by a vitamin feeding strategy during fed-batch process, Springer-Verlag (2002), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Examples of minerals include minerals and mineral salts that can supply nutrients comprising P, K, Mg, S, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu.

Fermentation Products:

A fermentation product can be any substance derived from the fermentation. The fermentation product can be, without limitation, an alcohol (e.g., arabinitol, butanol, ethanol, glycerol, methanol, 1,3-propanediol, sorbitol, and xylitol); an organic acid (e.g., acetic acid, acetonic acid, adipic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glutaric acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, itaconic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, propionic acid, succinic acid, and xylonic acid); a ketone (e.g., acetone); an amino acid (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, lysine, serine, and threonine); and a gas (e.g., methane, hydrogen (H₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO)). The fermentation product can also be protein as a high value product.

In a preferred aspect, the fermentation product is an alcohol. It will be understood that the term “alcohol” encompasses a substance that contains one or more hydroxyl moieties. In a more preferred aspect, the alcohol is arabinitol. In another more preferred aspect, the alcohol is butanol. In another more preferred aspect, the alcohol is ethanol. In another more preferred aspect, the alcohol is glycerol. In another more preferred aspect, the alcohol is methanol. In another more preferred aspect, the alcohol is 1,3-propanediol. In another more preferred aspect, the alcohol is sorbitol. In another more preferred aspect, the alcohol is xylitol. See, for example, Gong, C. S., Cao, N. J., Du, J., and Tsao, G. T., 1999, Ethanol production from renewable resources, in Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology, Scheper, T., ed., Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, Germany, 65: 207-241; Silveira, M. M., and Jonas, R., 2002, The biotechnological production of sorbitol, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 59: 400-408; Nigam, P., and Singh, D., 1995, Processes for fermentative production of xylitol—a sugar substitute, Process Biochemistry 30 (2): 117-124; Ezeji, T. C., Qureshi, N. and Blaschek, H. P., 2003, Production of acetone, butanol and ethanol by Clostridium beijerinckii BA101 and in situ recovery by gas stripping, World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 19 (6): 595-603.

In another preferred aspect, the fermentation product is an organic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is acetic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is acetonic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is adipic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is ascorbic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is citric acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is formic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is fumaric acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is glucaric acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is gluconic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is glucuronic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is glutaric acid. In another preferred aspect, the organic acid is 3-hydroxypropionic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is itaconic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is lactic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is malic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is malonic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is oxalic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is propionic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is succinic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is xylonic acid. See, for example, Chen, R., and Lee, Y. Y., 1997, Membrane-mediated extractive fermentation for lactic acid production from cellulosic biomass, Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 63-65: 435-448.

In another preferred aspect, the fermentation product is a ketone. It will be understood that the term “ketone” encompasses a substance that contains one or more ketone moieties. In another more preferred aspect, the ketone is acetone. See, for example, Qureshi and Blaschek, 2003, supra.

In another preferred aspect, the fermentation product is an amino acid. In another more preferred aspect, the organic acid is aspartic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the amino acid is glutamic acid. In another more preferred aspect, the amino acid is glycine. In another more preferred aspect, the amino acid is lysine. In another more preferred aspect, the amino acid is serine. In another more preferred aspect, the amino acid is threonine. See, for example, Richard, A., and Margaritis, A., 2004, Empirical modeling of batch fermentation kinetics for poly(glutamic acid) production and other microbial biopolymers, Biotechnology and Bioengineering 87 (4): 501-515.

In another preferred aspect, the fermentation product is a gas. In another more preferred aspect, the gas is methane. In another more preferred aspect, the gas is H₂. In another more preferred aspect, the gas is CO₂. In another more preferred aspect, the gas is CO. See, for example, Kataoka, N., A. Miya, and K. Kiriyama, 1997, Studies on hydrogen production by continuous culture system of hydrogen-producing anaerobic bacteria, Water Science and Technology 36 (6-7): 41-47; and Gunaseelan V. N. in Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 13 (1-2), pp. 83-114, 1997, Anaerobic digestion of biomass for methane production: A review.

Recovery.

The fermentation product(s) can be optionally recovered from the fermentation medium using any method known in the art including, but not limited to, chromatography, electrophoretic procedures, differential solubility, distillation, or extraction. For example, alcohol is separated from the fermented cellulosic material and purified by conventional methods of distillation. Ethanol with a purity of up to about 96 vol. % can be obtained, which can be used as, for example, fuel ethanol, drinking ethanol, i.e., potable neutral spirits, or industrial ethanol.

The present invention is further described by the following examples that should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Materials

Chemicals used as buffers and substrates were commercial products of at least reagent grade.

Media

PDA plates were composed of 39 g of potato dextrose agar and deionized water to 1 liter.

Minimal medium plates were composed per liter of 6 g of NaNO₃, 0.52 g of KCl, 1.52 g of KH₂PO₄, 1 ml of COVE trace elements solution, 20 g of Noble agar, 20 ml of 50% glucose, 2.5 ml of MgSO₄.7H₂O, 20 ml of a 0.02% biotin solution, and deionized water to 1 liter.

COVE trace elements solution was composed of 0.04 g of Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂O, 0.4 g of CuSO₄.5H₂O, 1.2 g of FeSO₄.7H₂O, 0.7 g of MnSO₄.H₂O, 0.8 g of Na₂MoO₂.2H₂O, 10 g of ZnSO₄.7H₂O, and deionized water to 1 liter.

MDU2BP medium was composed of 45 g of maltose, 1 g of MgSO₄.7H₂O, 1 g of NaCl, 2 g of K₂SO₄, 12 g of KH₂PO₄, 7 g of yeast extract, 2 g of urea, 0.5 ml of AMG trace metals solution; pH 5.0, and deionized water to 1 liter.

AMG trace metals solution was composed per liter of 14.3 g of ZnSO₄.7H₂O, 2.5 g of CuSO₄.5H₂O, 0.5 g of NiCl₂.6H₂O, 13.8 g of FeSO₄.7H₂O, 8.5 g of MnSO₄.7H₂O, 3 g of citric acid, and deionized water to 1 liter.

YEG medium was composed of 20 g of dextrose, 5 g of yeast extract, and deionized water to 1 liter.

LB medium was composed of 10 g of tryptone, 5 g of yeast extract, 5 g of sodium chloride, and deionized water to 1 liter.

YP medium was composed of 10 g of yeast extract, 20 g of Bacto peptone, and deionized water to 1 liter.

Example 1 Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Genomic DNA Extraction

Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 was grown in 100 ml of YEG medium in a baffled shake flask at 45° C. for 2 days with shaking at 200 rpm. Mycelia were harvested by filtration using MIRACLOTH® (Calbiochem, La Jolla, Calif., USA), washed twice in deionized water, and frozen under liquid nitrogen. Frozen mycelia were ground by mortar and pestle to a fine powder, and total DNA was isolated using a DNEASY® Plant Maxi Kit (QIAGEN Inc., Valencia, Calif., USA).

Example 2 Isolation of a Full-Length Family 6 Cellobiohydrolase Gene (cel6a) from Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75

A full-length Family 6 cellobiohydrolase gene (cel6a) was isolated from Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 using a GENOMEWALKER™ Universal Kit (Clontech Laboratories, Inc., Mountain View, Calif., USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, total genomic DNA from Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 was digested separately with four different restriction enzymes (Dra I, Eco RV, Pvu II, and Stu I) that leave blunt ends. Each batch of digested genomic DNA was then ligated separately to the GENOMEWALKER™ Adaptor (Clontech Laboratories, Inc., Mountain View, Calif., USA) to create four libraries. These libraries were then employed as templates in PCR reactions using two gene-specific primers shown below, one for primary PCR and one for secondary PCR. The primers were designed based on a partial Family 6 cellobiohydrolase gene (cel6a) sequence from Myceliophthora thermophila (WO 2004/056981).

Primer MtCel6a-R4: (SEQ ID NO: 91) 5′-ATTGGCAGCCCGGATCTGGGACAGAGTCTG-3′ Pimer MtCel6a-R5: (SEQ ID NO: 92) 5′-CCGGTCATGCTAGGAATGGCGAGATTGTGG-3′

The primary amplifications were composed of 1 μl (approximately 6 ng) of each library as template, 0.4 mM each of dATP, dTTP, dGTP, and dCTP, 10 pmol of Adaptor Primer 1 (Clontech Laboratories, Inc., Mountain View, Calif., USA), 10 pmol of primer MtCel6a-R4, 1× ADVANTAGE® GC-Melt LA Buffer (Clontech Laboratories, Inc., Mountain View, Calif., USA), and 1.25 units of ADVANTAGE® GC Genomic Polymerase Mix (Clontech Laboratories, Inc., Mountain View, Calif., USA) in a final volume of 25 μl. The amplifications were performed using an EPPENDORF® MASTERCYCLER® 5333 (Eppendorf Scientific, Inc., Westbury, N.Y., USA) programmed for pre-denaturing at 94° C. for 1 minute; 7 cycles each at a denaturing temperature of 94° C. for 30 seconds; annealing and elongation at 72° C. for 5 minutes; and 32 cycles each at 67° C. for 5 minutes.

The secondary ampliifications were composed of 1 μl of each primary PCR product as template, 0.4 mM each of dATP, dTTP, dGTP, and dCTP, 10 pmol of Adaptor Primer 2 (Clontech Laboratories, Inc., Mountain View, Calif., USA), 10 pmol of primer MtCel6a-R5, 1× ADVANTAGE® GC-Melt LA Buffer, and 1.25 units of ADVANTAGE® GC Genomic Polymerase Mix in a final volume of 25 μl. The amplifications were performed using an EPPENDORF® MASTERCYCLER® 5333 programmed for pre-denaturing at 94° C. for 1 minute; 5 cycles each at a denaturing temperature of 94° C. for 30 seconds; annealing and elongation at 72° C. for 5 minutes; and 20 cycles at 67° C. for 5 minutes.

The reaction products were isolated by 1.0% agarose gel electrophoresis using 40 mM Tris base-20 mM sodium acetate-1 mM disodium EDTA (TAE) buffer where a 3.5 kb product band from the Eco RV library was excised from the gel, purified using a QIAQUICK® Gel Extraction Kit (QIAGEN, Valencia, Calif., USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions, and sequenced.

Example 3 Characterization of the Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Genomic Sequence Encoding a Family 6 Cellobiohydrolase II

DNA sequencing of the 3.5 kb PCR fragment was performed with a Perkin-Elmer Applied Biosystems Model 377 XL Automated DNA Sequencer (Perkin-Elmer/Applied Biosystems, Inc., Foster City, Calif., USA) using dye-terminator chemistry (Giesecke et al., 1992, Journal of Virology Methods 38: 47-60) and primer walking strategy. The following gene specific primers were used for sequencing:

MtCel6a-F2: (SEQ ID NO: 93) 5′-GCTGTAAACTGCGAATGGGTTCAG-3′ MtCel6a-F3: (SEQ ID NO: 94) 5′-GGGTCCCACATGCTGCGCCT-3′ MtCel6a-R8: (SEQ ID NO: 95) 5′-AAAATTCACGAGACGCCGGG-3′

Nucleotide sequence data were scrutinized for quality and all sequences were compared to each other with assistance of PHRED/PHRAP software (University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA). The 3.5 kb sequence was compared and aligned with a partial Family 6 cellobiohydrolase gene (cel6a) sequence from Myceliophthora thermophila (WO 2004/056981).

A gene model for the Myceliophthora thermophila sequence was constructed based on similarity of the encoded protein to homologous glycoside hydrolase Family 6 proteins from Thielavia terrestris, Chaetomium thermophilum, Humicola insolens and Trichoderma reesei. The nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence are shown in SEQ ID NO: 29 and SEQ ID NO: 30, respectively. The genomic fragment encodes a polypeptide of 482 amino acids, interrupted by 3 introns of 96, 87, and 180 bp. The % G+C content of the gene and the mature coding sequence are 61.6% and 64%, respectively. Using the SignalP software program (Nielsen et al., 1997, Protein Engineering 10:1-6), a signal peptide of 17 residues was predicted. The predicted mature protein contains 465 amino acids with a molecular mass of 49.3 kDa.

A comparative pairwise global alignment of amino acid sequences was determined using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443-453) as implemented in the Needle program of EMBOSS with gap open penalty of 10, gap extension penalty of 0.5, and the EBLOSUM62 matrix. The alignment showed that the deduced amino acid sequence of the Myceliophthora thermophila gene encoding the CEL6A mature polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase activity shared 78.6% and 77.6% identity (excluding gaps) to the deduced amino acid sequences of two glycoside hydrolase Family 6 proteins from Chaetomium thermophilum and Humicola insolens, respectively (GeneSeqP accession numbers ADP84824 and AAW44853, respectively).

Example 4 Cloning of the Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Cellobiohydrolase Gene (cel6a) and Construction of an Aspergillus oryzae Expression Vector

Two synthetic oligonucleotide primers shown below were designed to PCR amplify the Myceliophthora thermophila cellobiohydrolase gene from the genomic DNA prepared in Example 1. An IN-FUSION™ Cloning Kit (BD Biosciences, Palo Alto, Calif., USA) was used to clone the fragment directly into the expression vector pAILo2 (WO 2004/099228), without the need for restriction digestion and ligation.

MtCel6a-F4: (SEQ ID NO: 96) 5′-ACTGGATTTACCATGGCCAAGAAGCTTTTCATCACC-3′ MtCel6a-R9: (SEQ ID NO: 97) 5′-TCACCTCTAGTTAATTAATTAGAAGGGCGGGTTGGCGT-3′ Bold letters represent coding sequence. The remaining sequence is homologous to insertion sites of pAILo2.

Fifty picomoles of each of the primers above were used in a PCR reaction composed of 100 ng of Myceliophthora thermophila genomic DNA, 1× ADVANTAGE® GC-Melt LA Buffer, 0.4 mM each of dATP, dTTP, dGTP, and dCTP, and 1.25 units of ADVANTAGE® GC Genomic Polymerase Mix in a final volume of 25 μl. The amplification was performed using an EPPENDORF® MASTERCYCLER® 5333 programmed for 1 cycle at 94° C. for 1 minutes; and 30 cycles each at 94° C. for 30 seconds, 62° C. for 30 seconds, and 72° C. for 2 minutes. The heat block then went to a 4° C. soak cycle.

The reaction products were isolated by 1.0% agarose gel electrophoresis using TAE buffer where a 1842 bp product band was excised from the gel, and purified using a QIAQUICK® Gel Extraction Kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Plasmid pAILo2 (WO 2004/099228) was digested with Nco I and Pac I, isolated by 1.0% agarose gel electrophoresis using TAE buffer, and purified using a QIAQUICK® Gel Extraction Kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The gene fragment and the digested vector were ligated together using an IN-FUSION™ Cloning Kit (BD Biosciences, Palo Alto, Calif., USA) resulting in pSMai180 in which transcription of the cellobiohydrolase gene was under the control of a hybrid of promoters from the genes for Aspergillus niger neutral alpha-amylase and Aspergillus nidulans triose phosphate isomerase (NA2-tpi promoter). The ligation reaction (50 μl) was composed of 1×IN-FUSION™ Buffer (BD Biosciences, Palo Alto, Calif., USA), 1×BSA (BD Biosciences, Palo Alto, Calif., USA), 1 μl of IN-FUSION™ enzyme (diluted 1:10) (BD Biosciences, Palo Alto, Calif., USA), 100 ng of pAILo2 digested with Nco I and Pac I, and 50 ng of the Myceliophthora thermophila cel6a purified PCR product. The reaction was incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. One μl of the reaction was used to transform E. coli XL10 SOLOPACK® Gold Supercompetent cells (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif., USA). An E. coli transformant containing pSMai180 was detected by restriction digestion and plasmid DNA was prepared using a BIOROBOT® 9600 (QIAGEN Inc., Valencia, Calif., USA). The Myceliophthora thermophila cel6a insert in pSMai180 was confirmed by DNA sequencing.

The same 1842 bp PCR fragment was cloned into pCR®2.1-TOPO® vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif., USA) using a TOPO® TA CLONING® Kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif., USA) to generate pSMai182. The Myceliophthora thermophila cel6a insert in pSMai182 was confirmed by DNA sequencing. E. coli pSMai182 was deposited with the Agricultural Research Service Patent Culture Collection, Northern Regional Research Center, Peoria, Ill., USA, on Sep. 6, 2007 and assigned accession number NRRL B-50059.

Example 5 Expression of the Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Family 6 Cellobiohydrolase cel6a gene in Aspergillus oryzae JaL355

Aspergillus oryzae JaL355 (WO 2002/40694) protoplasts were prepared according to the method of Christensen et al., 1988, Bio/Technology 6: 1419-1422. Three μg of pSMai180 were used to transform Aspergillus oryzae JaL355.

The transformation of Aspergillus oryzae JaL355 with pSMai180 yielded about 50 transformants. Twenty transformants were isolated to individual Minimal medium plates.

Confluent Minimal Medium plates of the 20 transformants were washed with 5 ml of 0.01% TWEEN® 20 and inoculated separately into 25 ml of MDU2BP medium in 125 ml glass shake flasks and incubated at 34° C. with shaking at 250 rpm. After 5 days incubation, 5 μl of supernatant from each culture were analyzed by SDS-PAGE using a 8-16% CRITERION™ SDS-PAGE gel (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Hercules, Calif., USA) and a CRITERION® Cell (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Hercules, Calif., USA), according to the manufacturer's instructions. The resulting gel was stained with BIO-SAFE™ Coomassie Stain (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Hercules, Calif., USA). SDS-PAGE profiles of the cultures showed that the majority of the transformants had a major band of approximately 70 kDa.

A confluent plate of one transformant, designated transformant 14, was washed with 10 ml of 0.01% TWEEN® 20 and inoculated into two 2 liter Fernbach flasks each containing 500 ml of MDU2BP medium to generate broth for characterization of the enzyme. The culture broths were harvested on day 5 and filtered using a 0.22 μm EXPRESS™ Plus Membrane (Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA).

Example 6 Purification of Recombinant Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Family 6 Cellobiohydrolase II Expressed in Aspergillus oryzae

The filtered culture broth described in Example 5 was concentrated 20-fold to 50 ml using an ultrafiltration device (Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA) equipped with a 10 kDa polyethersulfone membrane at 70 psi, 4° C. The concentrated broth was desalted into 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8 buffer using a HIPREP™ 26/10 desalting column (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J., USA). The desalted broth was mixed with an appropriate volume of 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5 containing 3.4 M ammonium sulfate for a final concentration of 1.2 M ammonium sulfate. The sample was loaded onto a PHENYL SUPEROSE column (HR 16/10, GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J., USA) equilibrated with 360 mM ammonium sulfate in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5. Contaminants were eluted with a step gradient of 120 mM ammonium sulfate followed by elution of Myceliophthora thermophila Cel6A cellobiohydrolase with 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5. Fractions were analyzed using 8-16% CRITERION™ SDS-PAGE gels and stained with GELCODE® Blue Stain Reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Mass., USA). Myceliophthora thermophila Cel6A cellobiohydrolase was >90% pure as judged by SDS-PAGE. Protein concentration was determined using a BCA Protein Assay Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Mass., USA) in which bovine serum albumin was used as a protein standard.

Example 7 Growth of Wild-Type Myceliophthora thermophila Strain CBS 117.65

One hundred ml of shake flask medium in a 500 ml shake flask was inoculated with two plugs from a solid plate culture of Myceliophthora thermophila strain CBS 117.65 and incubated at 45° C. on an orbital shaker at 200 rpm for 48 hours. The shake flask medium was composed of 15 g of glucose, 4 g of K₂HPO₄, 1 g of NaCl, 0.2 g of MgSO₄.7H₂O, 2 g of MES free acid, 1 g of Bacto Peptone, 5 g of yeast extract, 2.5 g of citric acid, 0.2 g of CaCl₂.2H₂O, 5 g of NH₄NO₃, 1 ml of trace elements solution, and deionized water to 1 liter. The trace elements solution was composed of 1.2 g of FeSO₄.7H₂O, 10 g of ZnSO₄.7H₂O, 0.7 g of MnSO₄.H₂O, 0.4 g of CuSO₄.5H₂O, 0.4 g of Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂O, 0.8 g of Na₂MoO₂.2H₂O, and deionized water to 1 liter. Fifty ml of the shake flask broth was used to inoculate a 2 liter fermentation vessel.

A total of 1.8 liters of the fermentation batch medium was added to a two liter glass jacketed fermentor (Applikon Biotechnology, Schiedam, Netherlands). The fermentation batch medium was composed per liter of 5 g of yeast extract, 176 g of powdered cellulose, 2 g of glucose, 1 g of NaCl, 1 g of Bacto Peptone, 4 g of K₂HPO₄, 0.2 g of CaCl₂.2H₂O, 0.2 g of MgSO₄.7H₂O, 2.5 g of citric acid, 5 g of NH₄NO₃, 1.8 ml of anti-foam, 1 ml of trace elements solution (above), and deionized water to 1 liter. Fermentation feed medium was composed of water and antifoam. The fermentation feed medium was dosed at a rate of 4 g/l/hr for a period of 72 hours. The fermentation vessel was maintained at a temperature of 45° C. and pH was controlled using an Applikon 1030 control system (Applikon Biotechnology, Schiedam, Netherlands) to a set-point of 5.6+/−0.1. Air was added to the vessel at a rate of 1 vvm and the broth was agitated by Rushton impeller rotating at 1100 to 1300 rpm. At the end of the fermentation, whole broth was harvested from the vessel and centrifuged at 3000×g to remove the biomass.

Example 8 Purification of Native Cel6a Cellobiohydrolase II from Wild-Type Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 Whole Broth

The harvested broth obtained in Example 7 was centrifuged in 500 ml bottles at 13,000×g for 20 minutes at 4° C. and then sterile filtered using a 0.22 μm polyethersulfone membrane (Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA). The filtered broth was concentrated and buffer exchanged with 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.5 using a tangential flow concentrator (Pall Filtron, North Borough, Mass., USA) equipped with a 10 kDa polyethersulfone membrane at approximately 20 psi. To decrease the amount of pigment, the concentrate was applied to a 60 ml Q SEPHAROSE™ Big Bead column (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J., USA) equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.5, and step eluted with equilibration buffer containing 600 mM NaCl. Flow-through and eluate fractions were analyzed using 8-16% CRITERION™ SDS-PAGE gels stained with GELCODE® Blue Stain Reagent. The flow-through fraction contained Myceliophthora thermophila Cel6A cellobiohydrolase as judged by the presence of a band corresponding to the apparent molecular weight of the protein by SDS-PAGE (Cel6A cellobiohydrolase: approximately 70 kDa).

The flow-through fraction was concentrated using an Amicon ultrafiltration device (Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA) equipped with a 10 kDa polyethersulfone membrane at 40 psi, 4° C. and mixed with an equal volume of 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5 containing 3.4 M ammonium sulfate for a final concentration of 1.7 M ammonium sulfate. The sample was filtered (0.2 μM syringe filter, polyethersulfone membrane, Whatman, Maidstone, United Kingdom) to remove particulate matter prior to loading onto a PHENYL SUPEROSE™ column (HR 16/10, GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J., USA) equilibrated with 1.7 M ammonium sulfate in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5. Bound proteins were eluted with a 12 column volume decreasing salt gradient of 1.7 M ammonium sulfate to 0 M ammonium sulfate in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5. Fractions were analyzed by 8-16% SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis as described above, which revealed that the Cel6A cellobiohydrolase eluted at the very end of the gradient (approximately 20 mM ammonium sulfate).

Fractions containing Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II were pooled and diluted 10-fold in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 9.0 (to lower the salt and raise the pH) and then applied to a 1 ml RESOURCE™ Q column (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J., USA) equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 9.0. Bound proteins were eluted with a 20 column volume salt gradient from 0 mM to 550 mM NaCl in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 9.0. M. thermophila Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II eluted as a single peak early in the gradient (˜25 mM NaCl). The cellobiohydrolase II was >90% pure as judged by SDS-PAGE. Protein concentrations were determined using a BCA Protein Assay Kit in which bovine serum albumin was used as a protein standard.

Example 9 Preparation of Aspergillus aculeatus Family 10 Xylanase

Aspergillus aculeatus Family 10 xylanase (SHEARZYME® 2×; Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) was desalted into 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0-150 mM NaCl prior to use. Three ml of SHEARZYME® 2× was loaded onto an ECONO-PAC® 10 DG desalting column (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Hercules, Calif., USA) equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0-150 mM NaCl. Protein was eluted by the addition of 4 ml of equilibration buffer. Protein concentrations were determined using a BCA Protein Assay Kit in which bovine serum albumin was used as a protein standard.

Example 10 Effect of Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 Family 6 Cellobiohydrolase II, Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Family 6 Cellobiohydrolase II, or Aspergillus aculeatus Family 10 Xylanase on PCS Hydrolysis by a Trichoderma reesei Cellulolytic Protein Composition

Corn stover was pretreated at the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) using dilute sulfuric acid. The following conditions were used for the pretreatment: 1.4 wt. % sulfuric acid at 165° C. and 107 psi for 8 minutes. According to NREL, the water-insoluble solids in the pretreated corn stover (PCS) contained 56.5% cellulose, 4.6% hemicellulose and 28.4% lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose were determined by a two-stage sulfuric acid hydrolysis with subsequent analysis of sugars by high performance liquid chromatography using NREL Standard Analytical Procedure #002. Lignin was determined gravimetrically after hydrolyzing the cellulose and hemicellulose fractions with sulfuric acid using NREL Standard Analytical Procedure #003. The PCS was washed with a large volume of DDI water on a glass filter.

Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant), Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native), or Aspergillus aculeatus xylanase were evaluated for their ability to enhance the hydrolysis of washed PCS by a Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition (Trichoderma reesei broth expressing Thermoascus aurantiacus GH61A polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein) obtained according to WO 2008/151079.

The hydrolysis of PCS was conducted using 2.2 ml deep-well plates (Axygen, Union City, Calif., USA) in a total reaction volume of 1.0 ml. The hydrolysis was performed with 50 mg of PCS per ml of 50 mM sodium acetate pH 5.0 buffer containing 1 mM manganese sulfate and a fixed protein loading of 2 mg of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition per gram of cellulose or a 20% replacement (by protein) of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition with each enzyme (3.2 mg of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose and 0.8 mg of each enzyme per g of cellulose). Hydrolysis assays were performed in triplicate for 72 hours at 50° C. Following hydrolysis, samples were filtered using a 0.45 μm Multiscreen 96-well filter plate (Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA) and filtrates analyzed for sugar content as described below.

When not used immediately, filtered sugary aliquots were frozen at −20° C. Sugar concentrations of samples diluted in 0.005 M H₂SO₄ were measured after elution by 0.005 M H₂SO₄ with 0.05% w/w benzoic acid at a flow rate of 0.6 ml per minute from a 4.6×250 mm AMINEX® HPX-87H column (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Hercules, Calif., USA) at 65° C. with quantitation by integration of the glucose and cellobiose signals by refractive index detection (CHEMSTATION®, AGILENT® 1100 HPLC, Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, Calif., USA) calibrated by pure sugar samples. The resultant equivalents were used to calculate the percentage of cellulose conversion for each reaction.

The degree of cellulose conversion was calculated using the following equation:

% conversion=[glucose concentration+1.053×(cellobiose concentration)]/[(glucose concentration+1.053×(cellobiose concentration) in a limit digest].

The 1.053 factor for cellobiose takes into account the increase in mass when cellobiose is converted to glucose. Sixty mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein preparation per g of cellulose was used for the limit digest.

The results shown in FIG. 1 demonstrated that a 20% replacement (by protein) of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (loaded at 2 mg per g of cellulose) with the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 recombinant Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II or the native M. thermophila CBS 117.65 Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II improved the 72 hour hydrolysis yield by 3.1% and 6.2%, respectively. Alternatively, the percent conversion with a 20% replacement of a T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (loaded at 2 mg per g of cellulose) with the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 recombinant Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II was equivalent to a loading of 2.15 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose (a 1.08-fold improvement). With the M. thermophila native CBS 117.65 Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II the percent conversion with a 20% replacement was equivalent to a loading of 2.25 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose (a 1.13-fold improvement). A 20% replacement of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (loaded at 2 mg per g of cellulose) with the A. aculeatus xylanase improved the hydrolysis yield by 8.2%. The percent conversion with a 20% replacement of a T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (loaded at 2 mg per g of cellulose) with the A. aculeatus xylanase was equivalent to a loading of 2.33 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose (a 1.17-fold improvement).

Example 11 Effect of Myceliophthora thermophila Cel6A Cellobiohydrolase IIs and Aspergillus Aculeatus Xylanase on the Hydrolysis of PCS

Example 10 demonstrated that Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant), Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native), or Aspergillus aculeatus xylanase enhanced the hydrolysis of washed PCS by the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition (WO 2008/151079).

A PCS hydrolysis assay was performed as described in Example 10 with a 20% replacement of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (2 mg per g of cellulose total loading) with a 50:50 mixture of the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant) or the M. thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native) and the A. aculeatus xylanase (1.6 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g cellulose; 0.2 mg of the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 cellobiohydrolase II or the M. thermophila CBS 117.65 cellobiohydrolase II per g cellulose; and 0.2 mg of the A. aculeatus xylanase per g cellulose).

As shown in FIG. 2 a mixture of Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant) or Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native) and Aspergillus aculeatus xylanase demonstrated a 15.3% and 16.1% improvement of the 72 hour hydrolysis yield, respectively. These results corresponded to a percent conversion equivalent of 2.63 mg/g cellulose and 2.65 mg/g cellulose, respectively, of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition (a 1.32 and 1.33 fold improvement).

A significant enhancement in percent conversion of PCS by a cellulase mixture comprising a 10% replacement with the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant) or M. thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native) plus a 10% replacement with the A. aculeatus xylanase (M. thermophila CBS 202.75 recombinant CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II+A. aculeatus xylanase: 15.3%; M. thermophila CBS 117.65 native CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II+A. aculeatus xylanase: 16.1%) relative to a 20% replacement with each protein individually (M. thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant): 3.1%; M. thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native): 6.2%; or A. aculeatus xylanase: 8.2%) demonstrated that the M. thermophila Cel6A (both recombinant from M. thermophila CBS 202.75 strain and native from M. thermophila CBS 11.65 strain) and the A. aculeatus xylanase displayed synergism in the enhancement of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition.

Example 12 Isolation of Penicillium sp

Penicillium sp. NN51602 was isolated from a compost sample of rice straw and cattle dung located in a rural village in Yunnan China on July 2007. The strain was isolated on PDA plates incubated at 45° C.

Example 13 Growth of Wild-Type Penicillium sp

One hundred ml of shake flask medium in a 500 ml shake flask was inoculated with two plugs from a solid plate culture of Penicillium sp. NN51602 and incubated at 45° C. on an orbital shaker at 200 rpm for 48 hours. The shake flask medium was composed of 15 g of glucose, 4 g of K₂HPO₄, 1 g of NaCl, 0.2 g of MgSO₄.7H₂O, 2 g of MES free acid, 1 g of Bacto Peptone, 5 g of yeast extract, 2.5 g of citric acid, 0.2 g of CaCl₂.2H₂O, 5 g of NH₄NO₃ 1 ml of trace elements solution, and deionized water to 1 liter. The trace elements solution was composed of 1.2 g of FeSO₄.7H₂O, 10 g of ZnSO₄.7H₂O, 0.7 g of MnSO₄.H₂O, 0.4 g of CuSO₄.5H₂O, 0.4 g of Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂O, 0.8 g of Na₂MoO₂.2H₂O, and deionized water to 1 liter. Fifty ml of the 48 hour shake flask broth was used to inoculate a 2 liter fermentation vessel.

A total of 1.8 liters of fermentation batch medium was added to a two liter glass jacketed fermentor (Applikon Biotechnology, Schiedam, Netherlands). The fermentation batch medium was composed per liter of 5 g of yeast extract, 176 g powdered cellulose, 2 g of glucose, 1 g of NaCl, 1 g of Bacto Peptone, 4 g of K₂HPO₄, 0.2 g of CaCl₂.2H₂O, 0.2 g of MgSO₄.7H₂O, 2.5 g of citric acid, 5 g of NH₄NO₃, 1.8 ml of anti-foam, and 1 ml of trace elements solution. Fermentation feed medium was dosed at a rate of 4 g/l/hr for a period of 72 hours. The fermentation feed medium was composed of water and antifoam. The fermentation vessel was maintained at a temperature of 45° C. and pH was controlled using an Applikon 1030 control system (Applikon Biotechnology, Schiedam, Netherlands) to a set-point of 5.6+/−0.1. Air was added to the vessel at a rate of 1 vvm and the broth was agitated by a Rushton impeller rotating at 1100 to 1300 rpm. At the end of the fermentation, whole broth was harvested from the vessel and centrifuged at 3000×g to remove the biomass.

Example 14 Purification of a Xylanase from Wild-Type Penicillium sp. Whole Broth

The harvested broth obtained in Example 13 was centrifuged in 500 ml bottles at 13,000×g for 20 minutes at 4° C. and then sterile filtered using a 0.22 μm polyethersulfone membrane (Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA). The filtered broth was concentrated and buffer exchanged with 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.5 using a tangential flow concentrator (Pall Filtron, North Borough, Mass., USA) equipped with a 10 kDa polyethersulfone membrane at approximately 20 psi. To decrease the amount of pigment, the concentrate was applied to a 60 ml Q SEPHAROSE™ Big Bead column equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.5, and step eluted with equilibration buffer containing 600 mM NaCl. Flow-through and eluate fractions were examined on 8-16% CRITERION™ SDS-PAGE gels stained with GELCODE® Blue Stain Reagent. The eluate fraction contained a protein band of approximately 50 kDa by SDS-PAGE.

The eluate fraction was concentrated using an ultrafiltration device (Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA) equipped with a 10 kDa polyethersulfone membrane at 40 psi, 4° C. and desalted into 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.5 using a HIPREP™ 26/10 desalting column. The desalted material was loaded onto a MONO Q™ HR 16/10 column (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J., USA) equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.5. Bound proteins were eluted with a salt gradient of 0 M NaCl to 600 mM NaCl in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.5 (20 column volumes). Fractions were examined by SDS-PAGE as described above, which revealed that the Penicillium sp. xylanase eluted at approximately 120 mM NaCl.

Fractions containing the xylanase were pooled and mixed with an equal volume of 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5 containing 3.4 M ammonium sulfate for a final concentration of 1.7 M ammonium sulfate. The sample was filtered (0.2 μM syringe filter, polyethersulfone membrane, Whatman, Maidstone, United Kingdom) to remove particulate matter prior to loading onto a PHENYL SUPEROSE™ column (HR 16/10, GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J., USA) equilibrated with 1.7 M ammonium sulfate in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5. Bound proteins were eluted with a decreasing salt gradient of 1.7 M ammonium sulfate to 0 M ammonium sulfate in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5 (15 column volumes). Fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE as described above, which revealed the Penicillium sp xylanase eluted at the very end of the gradient (approximately 50 mM ammonium sulfate). The Penicillium sp. xylanase was >90% pure as judged by SDS-PAGE. Protein concentrations were determined using a BCA Protein Assay Kit in which bovine serum albumin was used as a protein standard.

Example 15 Protein Identification of Penicillium sp. GH10B Xylanase

In-Gel Digestion of Polypeptides for Peptide Sequencing.

A MULTIPROBE® II Liquid Handling Robot (PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences, Boston, Mass., USA) was used to perform in-gel digestions. The 50 kDa protein gel band (Example 14) was reduced with 50 μl of 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) in 100 mM ammonium bicarbonate pH 8.0 for 30 minutes. Following reduction, the gel piece was alkylated with 50 μl of 55 mM iodoacetamide in 100 mM ammonium bicarbonate pH 8.0 for 20 minutes. The dried gel piece was allowed to swell in 25 μl of a trypsin digestion solution containing 6 ng of sequencing grade trypsin (Promega, Madison, Wis., USA) per μl of 50 mM ammonium bicarbonate pH 8 for 30 minutes at room temperature, followed by an 8 hour digestion at 40° C. Each of the reaction steps described above was followed by numerous washes and pre-washes with the appropriate solutions following the manufacturer's standard protocol. Fifty μl of acetonitrile was used to de-hydrate the gel piece between reactions and the gel piece was air dried between steps. Peptides were extracted twice with 1% formic acid/2% acetonitrile in HPLC grade water for 30 minutes. Peptide extraction solutions were transferred to a 96 well skirted PCR type plate (ABGene, Rochester, N.Y., USA) that had been cooled to 10-15° C. and covered with a 96-well plate lid (PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences, Boston, Mass., USA) to prevent evaporation. Plates were further stored at 4° C. until mass spectrometry analysis could be performed.

Protein Identification.

For de novo peptide sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry, a Q-TOFMICRO™ (Waters Micromass MS Technologies, Milford, Mass., USA), a hybrid orthogonal quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer, was used for LC/MS/MS analysis. The Q-TOF MICRO™ is fully microprocessor controlled using MASSLYNX™ software version 4.1 (Waters Micromass MS Technologies, Milford, Mass., USA). The Q-TOF MICRO™ was fitted with a NANOACQUITY UPLC® (Waters Corp, Milford, Mass., USA) for concentrating and desalting samples. Samples were loaded onto a trapping column (180 μm ID×20 mm, 5 μm SYMMETRY® C18, Waters Corp, Milford, Mass., USA) fitted in the injection loop and washed with 0.1% formic acid in water at 15 μl per minute for 1 minute using a binary solvent manager pump. Peptides were separated on a 100 μm ID×100 mm, C18, 1.7 μm, BEH130™ C18 nanoflow fused capillary column (Waters Corp, Milford, Mass., USA) at a flow rate of 400 nl per minute. A step elution gradient of 1% to 85% acetonitrile in 0.1% formic acid was applied over a 30 minute interval. The column eluent was monitored at 214 nm and introduced into the Q-TOF MICRO™ through an electrospray ion source fitted with a nanospray interface.

Data was acquired in survey scan mode from a mass range of m/z 400 to 1990 with switching criteria for MS to MS/MS to include an ion intensity of greater than 10.0 counts per second and charge states of +2, +3, and +4. Analysis spectra of up to 6 co-eluting species with a scan time of 1.9 seconds and inter-scan time of 0.1 seconds could be obtained. A cone voltage of 45 volts was typically used and the collision energy was programmed to vary according to the mass and charge state of the eluting peptide and in the range of 10-60 volts. The acquired spectra were combined, smoothed, and centered in an automated fashion and a peak list generated. The peak list was searched against selected databases using PROTEINLYNX GLOBAL SERVER™ 2.3 software (Waters Micromass MS Technologies, Milford, Mass., USA) and PEAKS Studio version 4.5 (SP1) (Bioinformatic Solutions Inc., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada). Results from the PROTEINLYNX GLOBAL SERVER™ and PEAKS Studio searches were evaluated and un-identified proteins were analyzed further by evaluating the MS/MS spectrums of each ion of interest and de novo sequence was determined by identifying the y and b ion series and matching mass differences to the appropriate amino acid.

Peptide sequences were obtained from several multiply charged ions for the in-gel digested 50 kDa polypeptide gel band. A doubly charged tryptic peptide ion of 403.231 m/z sequence was determined to be Ala-Asn-Gly-Gln-Met(ox)-[Ile/Leu]-Arg (amino acids 97 to 103 of SEQ ID NO: 99). Another doubly charged tryptic peptide ion of 442.592 m/z sequence was determined to be Asn-His-[Ile/Leu]-Thr-Asn-Val-Val-Thr-His-Tyr-Lys (amino acids 133 to 142 of SEQ ID NO: 99). Another doubly charged tryptic peptide ion of 447.1993 m/z sequence was determined to be [Ile/Leu]-Val-Gln-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Ala-Arg (amino acids 215 to 222 of SEQ ID NO: 99). Another doubly charged tryptic peptide ion of 458.262 m/z sequence was determined to be Ala-Thr-Ala-Ala-Gln-Asn-[Ile/Leu]-Val-Lys (amino acids 206 to 214 of SEQ ID NO: 99). Another doubly charged tryptic peptide ion of 663.380 m/z a partial sequence was determined to be Ser-Gly-Gly-Asp-Gln-[Ile/Leu]-Ala-Asn-[Ile/Leu]-Ala-Lys (amino acids 86 to 96 of SEQ ID NO: 99). Met(ox) is oxidized methionine. [Ile/Leu] and [Gln/Lys] cannot be distinguished because they have equivalent masses.

Example 16 Penicillium sp. Genomic DNA Extraction

Penicillium sp. was grown on PDA plates at 37° C. to confluence. Three 4 mm² squares were cut from the PDA plates, inoculated into 25 ml of YP medium containing 2% glucose in a baffled 125 ml shake flask, and incubated at 37° C. for 2 days with shaking at 200 rpm. Mycelia were harvested by filtration using MIRACLOTH® (Calbiochem, La Jolla, Calif., USA), washed twice in deionized water, and frozen under liquid nitrogen. Frozen mycelia were ground, by mortar and pestle, to a fine powder, and total DNA was isolated using a DNEASY® Plant Maxi Kit.

Example 17 Isolation of a Partial Fragment of a Xylanase Gene from Penicillium sp

Using the Consensus-Degenerate Hybrid Oligonucleotide Primer Program (CODEHOP; Rose et al., 1998, Nucleic Acids Research 26: 1628-1635), degenerate primers, shown below, were designed to regions of homology with related xylanase sequences based on the identified peptide fragments described in Example 15.

Primer Penuldeg220F: (SEQ ID NO: 100) 5′-CAACGGCCAGATGYTNMGNTGYCAY-3′ Protein translation for degenerate primer Penuldeg220F: NGQMXXCH Primer Penul345R128fold: (SEQ ID NO: 101) 5′-GCGCCGTASGAYTGNACSARYTT-3′ Protein translation for degenerate primer Penul345R128fold: KXVQSYG

To obtain the initial DNA fragment of the Penicillium sp. xylanase gene, gradient PCR was performed at 6 different annealing temperatures ranging from 45° C. to 65° C. Amplification reactions (25 μl) were composed of 100 ng of Penicillium sp. genomic DNA as template, 0.4 mM each of dATP, dTTP, dGTP, and dCTP, 50 pmol each of primer Penuldeg220F and primer Penul345R128fold, 1× ADVANTAGE® GC-Melt LA Buffer, and 1.25 units of ADVANTAGE® GC Genomic Polymerase Mix. The amplifications were performed using an EPPENDORF® MASTERCYCLER® 5333 programmed for pre-denaturing at 95° C. for 1 minute; 30 cycles each at a denaturing temperature of 95° C. for 30 seconds; annealing temperature of 55° C.+/−10° C. for 30 seconds (6 gradient options) and elongation at 70° C. for 1 minute; and final elongation at 70° C. for 5 minutes.

The reaction products were isolated by 1.0% agarose gel electrophoresis in TBE (10.8 g of Tris base, 5.5 g of boric acid and 4 ml of 0.5 M EDTA pH 8.0 per liter) buffer. A PCR product band of approximately 375 bp from an annealing temperature of 55.8° C. was excised from the gel, purified using a QIAQUICK® Gel Extraction Kit according to the manufacturer's instructions, and sequenced with a Perkin-Elmer Applied Biosystems Model 377 XL Automated DNA Sequencer using dye-terminator chemistry (Giesecke et al., 1992, supra) and primer walking. A partial sequence was obtained, which encoded a peptide comprising several of the peptide fragments identified in Example 15.

Example 18 Identification of a Full-Length Penicillium sp. Xylanase Gene

A full-length xylanase gene was identified from Penicillium sp. using a GENOMEWALKER™ Universal Kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, total genomic DNA from Penicillium sp. was digested separately with four different restriction enzymes (Dra I, Eco RV, Pvu II, and Stu I) that leave blunt ends. Each batch of digested genomic DNA was then ligated separately to the GENOMEWALKER™ Adaptor to create four libraries. These four libraries were then employed as templates in PCR reactions using four gene-specific primers shown below, two for a primary and secondary PCR amplifying upstream of the fragment through the 5′ end encoding the N-terminus of the xylanase and two for a primary and secondary PCR amplifying downstream of the fragment through the 3′ end encoding the C-terminus of the xylanase. The following primers were designed based on the partial xylanase gene sequence from Penicillium sp. obtained as described in Example 17.

N-terminus: Primer PenulGSP1R (primary): (SEQ ID NO: 102) 5′-GCCCTTGTAATGGGTAACGACGTTGGTGA-3′ Primer PenulGSP2R (secondary): (SEQ ID NO: 103) 5′-GCAAGCAGCGTCTCGTTGGTCCAGGATC-3′ C-terminus: Primer PenulGSP1F (primary): (SEQ ID NO: 104) 5′-GGCACCTACCGCAGCAACGTCTTCTACCA-3′ Primer PenulGSP2F (secondary): (SEQ ID NO: 105) 5′-ACGGCGGCGCAGAACATCGTCAAGCT-3′

The primary amplifications were composed of 1 μl (approximately 6 ng) of each library as template, 0.4 mM each of dATP, dTTP, dGTP, and dCTP, 10 pmol of Adaptor Primer 1, 50 pmol of primer PenulGSP1R or PenulGSP1F, 1× ADVANTAGE® GC-Melt LA Buffer, and 1.25 units of ADVANTAGE® GC Genomic Polymerase Mix in a final volume of 25 μl. The amplifications were performed using an EPPENDORF® MASTERCYCLER® 5333 programmed for pre-denaturing at 95° C. for 1 minute; 7 cycles each at a denaturing temperature of 95° C. for 25 seconds; annealing and elongation at 72° C. for 5 minutes; 32 cycles each at a denaturing temperature of 95° C. for 25 seconds; annealing and elongation at 67° C. for 5 minutes; and final elongation at 67° C. for 7 minutes.

The secondary amplifications were composed of 1 μl of each primary PCR product as template, 0.4 mM each of dATP, dTTP, dGTP, and dCTP, 10 pmol of Adaptor Primer 2, 50 pmol of primer PenulGSP2R or PenulGSP2F, 1× ADVANTAGE® GC-Melt LA Buffer, and 1.25 units of ADVANTAGE® GC Genomic Polymerase Mix in a final volume of 25 μl. The amplifications were performed using an EPPENDORF® MASTERCYCLER® 5333 programmed for pre-denaturing at 95° C. for 1 minute; 5 cycles each at a denaturing temperature of 95° C. for 25 seconds; annealing and elongation at 72° C. for 5 minutes; 20 cycles each at a denaturing temperature of 95° C. for 25 seconds; annealing and elongation at 67° C. for 5 minutes; and final elongation at 67° C. for 7 minutes.

The reaction products were isolated by 1.0% agarose gel electrophoresis using TBE buffer. From the 5′ end PCR amplification, 4 product bands were analyzed: a 450 bp product band from the Dra I library, a 1.6 kb product band from the Eco RV library, a 1.7 kb product band from the Pvu II library, and a 550 bp band from the Stu I library. The 4 product bands were excised from the gel, purified using a QIAQUICK® Gel Extraction Kit according to the manufacturer's instructions, and sequenced. From the 3′ end PCR amplification, 3 product bands were analyzed: a 450 bp product band from the Dra I library, and 600 bp and 800 bp product bands from the Eco RV library. The 3 product bands were excised from the gel, purified using a QIAQUICK® Gel Extraction Kit according to the manufacturer's instructions, and sequenced.

DNA sequencing of the PCR fragments was performed with a Perkin-Elmer Applied Biosystems Model 377 XL Automated DNA Sequencer using dye-terminator chemistry (Giesecke et al., 1992, supra) and primer walking strategy using Adaptor Primer 2, primer PenulGSP2R, and primer PenulGSP2F for sequencing.

Nucleotide sequence data were scrutinized for quality and all sequences were compared to each other with assistance of PHRED/PHRAP software (University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA). The PCR fragment sequence results were compared and aligned with the partial xylanase gene sequence from Penicillium sp. obtained as described in Example 17. A gene model was constructed based on the gene fragments obtained here and in Example 17 allowing determination of the 5′ and 3′ ends of the gene with other homologous xylanases.

Example 19 Cloning of the Penicillium sp. Xylanase Gene and Construction of an Aspergillus Niger Expression Vector

Two synthetic oligonucleotide primers shown below were designed to PCR amplify the Penicillium sp. xylanase gene from the genomic DNA prepared in Example 16. An IN-FUSION™ Cloning Kit was used to clone the fragment directly into the expression vector pBM120a (WO 2006/078256).

PenulxylNCO1F: (SEQ ID NO: 106) 5′-ACACAACTGGCCATGGTTCGCCTCAGTCCAGTCCTGC-3′ PenulxylPACIR: (SEQ ID NO: 107) 5′-CAGTCACCTCTAGTTATTACAGACACTGCGAGTAATACTCG-3′

Bold letters represent coding sequence. The remaining sequence is homologous to the insertion sites of pBM120a.

Fifty picomoles of each of the primers above were used in a PCR reaction composed of 105 ng of Penicillium sp. genomic DNA, 1× EXPAND® Buffer 2 (Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind., USA), 0.4 mM each of dATP, dTTP, dGTP, and dCTP, and 1 unit of EXPAND® DNA Polymerase (Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind., USA) in a final volume of 50 μl. The amplification was performed using an EPPENDORF® MASTERCYCLER® 5333 programmed for 1 cycle at 95° C. for 1 minute; 30 cycles each at 95° C. for 30 seconds, 63.5° C. for 30 seconds, and 72° C. for 90 seconds; and a final elongation at 72° C. for 7 minutes. The heat block then went to a 4° C. soak cycle.

The reaction products were isolated by 1.0% agarose gel electrophoresis in TBE buffer where an approximately 1.4 kb product band was excised from the gel, and purified using a QIAQUICK® Gel Extraction Kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Plasmid pBM120a was digested with Nco I and Pac I, isolated by 1.0% agarose gel electrophoresis in TBE buffer, and purified using a QIAQUICK® Gel Extraction Kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The gene fragment and the digested vector were ligated together using an IN-FUSION™ Cloning Kit resulting in pMMar31 in which transcription of the xylanase gene was under the control of a hybrid of promoters from the genes for Aspergillus niger neutral alpha-amylase and Aspergillus oryzae triose phosphate isomerase (NA2-tpi promoter). The ligation reaction (20 μl) was composed of 1×IN-FUSION™ Buffer, 1×BSA (BD Biosciences, Palo Alto, Calif., USA), 1 μl of IN-FUSION™ enzyme (diluted 1:10), 132 ng of pBM120a digested with Nco I and Pac I, and 104 ng of the purified Penicillium sp. PCR product. The reaction was incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. Two μl of the reaction were used to transform E. coli XL10 SOLOPACK® Gold Ultracompetent cells (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif., USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transformants were picked into LB medium supplemented with 100 μg of ampicillin per ml and grown overnight at 37° C. Plasmid DNA was prepared from each of the cultures using a BIOROBOT® 9600 and submitted to DNA sequencing with a Perkin-Elmer Applied Biosystems Model 377 XL Automated DNA Sequencer using dye-terminator chemistry (Giesecke et al., 1992, supra) and primer walking strategy using the primers below for sequencing. One E. coli transformant was identified containing the Penicillium sp. xylanase gene. The plasmid containing the xylanase gene was designated pMMar31.

996271 Na2tpi promoter fwd: (SEQ ID NO: 108) 5′-ACTCAATTTACCTCTATCCACACTT-3′ 996270 AMG rev: (SEQ ID NO: 109) 5′-CTATAGCGAAATGGATTGATTGTCT-3′ Penulxyl367F: (SEQ ID NO: 110) 5′-ATGTTGAGGTGCCATAATC-3′ Penulxyl1025R: (SEQ ID NO: 111) 5′-TCTGGTAGTCGGTCGCCTG-3′

The same 1.4 kb PCR fragment was cloned into pCR®2.1-TOPO® using a TOPO® TA CLONING Kit to generate pMMar26. The Penicillium sp. xylanase insert in pMMar26 was confirmed by DNA sequencing. E. coli pMMar26 was deposited with the Agricultural Research Service Patent Culture Collection, Northern Regional Research Center, Peoria, Ill., USA, on Mar. 13, 2009, and assigned accession number NRRL B-50266.

Example 20 Characterization of the Penicillium sp. Genomic Sequence Encoding a Family GH10 Xylanase

Nucleotide sequence data were scrutinized for quality and all sequences were compared to each other with assistance of PHRED/PHRAP software (University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA).

The nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence are shown in SEQ ID NO: 98 and SEQ ID NO: 99, respectively. The genomic fragment encodes a polypeptide of 403 amino acids, interrupted by 3 predicted introns of 65, 55, and 52 base pairs. The % G+C content of the full-length coding sequence and the mature coding sequence are 60.2% and 60.0%, respectively. Using the SignalP software program (Nielsen et al., 1997, supra), a signal peptide of 23 residues was predicted. The predicted mature protein contains 380 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 41.1 kDa. Amino acids 25 to 340 are indicative of a Family 10 glycosyl hydrolase. Based on the deduced amino acid sequence, the xylanase appears to fall into the xylanase Family GH10 according to Coutinho and Henrissat, 1999, supra.

A comparative pairwise global alignment of amino acid sequences was determined using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, supra) as implemented in the Needle program of EMBOSS with gap open penalty of 10, gap extension penalty of 0.5, and the EBLOSUM62 matrix. The alignment showed that the deduced amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the Penicillium sp. Family GH10 xylanase gene shared 93% identity (excluding gaps) to the deduced amino acid sequence of a Talaromyces emersonii xylanase gene (GeneSeq accession number AAB84358).

Example 21 Effect of Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 Family 6 Cellobiohydrolase II, Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Family 6 Cellobiohydrolase II, or Penicillium sp. Family 10 Xylanase on PCS Hydrolysis

Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant), Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native), or Penicillium sp. Family 10 xylanase were evaluated for their ability to enhance the hydrolysis of washed PCS by a Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition (Trichoderma reesei broth expressing Thermoascus aurantiacus GH61A polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and Aspergillus oryzae beta-glucosidase fusion protein) obtained according to WO 2008/151079.

The hydrolysis of PCS was conducted using 2.2 ml deep-well plates in a total reaction volume of 1.0 ml. The hydrolysis was performed with 50 mg of PCS per ml of 50 mM sodium acetate pH 5.0 buffer containing 1 mM manganese sulfate and a fixed protein loading of 2 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per gram of cellulose or a 20% replacement (by protein) of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition with each enzyme (1.6 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose and 0.4 mg of each enzyme per g of cellulose). Hydrolysis assays were performed in triplicate for 72 hours at 50° C. Following hydrolysis, samples were filtered with a 0.45 μm Multiscreen 96-well filter plate and filtrates analyzed for sugar content according to Example 10.

The results shown in FIG. 3 demonstrated that a 20% replacement (by protein) of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (loaded at 2 mg per g of cellulose) with the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 recombinant Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II or native M. thermophila CBS 117.65 Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II improved the 72 hour hydrolysis yield by 3.1% and 6.2%, respectively. Alternatively, the percent conversion with a 20% replacement of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (loaded at 2 mg per g of cellulose) with the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 recombinant Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II was equivalent to a loading of 2.15 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose (a 1.08-fold improvement). With the M. thermophila native CBS 117.65 Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II the percent conversion with a 20% replacement was equivalent to a loading of 2.25 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose (a 1.13-fold improvement). A 20% replacement of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (loaded at 2 mg per g of cellulose) with the Penicillium sp. Family 10 xylanase improved the hydrolysis yield by 7.7%. The percent conversion with a 20% replacement of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (loaded at 2 mg per g of cellulose) with the Penicillium sp. xylanase was equivalent to a loading of 2.32 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g of cellulose (a 1.16-fold improvement).

Example 22 Effect of Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 Cel6A Cellobiohydrolase II or Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II and Penicillium sp. Family 10 Xylanase on the Hydrolysis of PCS by a Trichoderma reesei Cellulase Mixture

A PCS hydrolysis assay was performed as described in Example 21 with a 20% replacement of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition described in Example 21 (2 mg per g of cellulose total loading) with a 50:50 mixture of the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant) or the M. thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native) and the Penicillium sp. Family 10 xylanase (1.6 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g cellulose; 0.2 mg of the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 cellobiohydrolase II or the M. thermophila CBS 117.65 cellobiohydrolase II per g cellulose; and 0.2 mg of the Penicillium sp. xylanase per g cellulose).

As shown in FIG. 4 a mixture of Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant) or Myceliophthora thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native) and Penicillium sp. xylanase demonstrated a 19.2% and 16.6% improvement of the 72 hour hydrolysis yield, respectively. These results corresponded to a percent conversion equivalent of 2.78 mg/g cellulose and 2.68 mg/g cellulose, respectively, of the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition (a 1.39 and 1.34 fold improvement, respectively).

A significant enhancement in percent conversion of PCS by the Trichoderma reesei cellulolytic protein composition comprising a 10% replacement with the M. thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant) or M. thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native) plus a 10% replacement with the Penicillium sp. xylanase (M. thermophila CBS 202.75 recombinant CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II+Penicillium sp. xylanase: 19.2%; M. thermophila CBS 117.65 native CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II+Penicillium sp. xylanase: 16.6%) relative to a 20% replacement with each protein individually (M. thermophila CBS 202.75 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (recombinant): 3.1%; M. thermophila CBS 117.65 CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II (native): 6.2%; Penicillium sp. xylanase: 8.2%), demonstrated that the M. thermophila Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II (both recombinant from M. thermophila CBS 202.75 strain and native from M. thermophila CBS 11.65 strain) and Penicillium sp. xylanase displayed synergism in the enhancement of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition.

Example 23 Preparation of Trichoderma reesei RutC30 Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II

The Trichoderma reesei RutC30 Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II gene (SEQ ID NO: 25 [DNA sequence] and SEQ ID NO: 26 [deduced amino acid sequence]) was isolated from Trichoderma reesei RutC30 as described in WO 2005/056772.

The Trichoderma reesei Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II gene was expressed in Fusarium venenatum using pEJG61 as an expression vector according to the procedures described in U.S. Published Application No. 20060156437. Fermentation was performed as described in U.S. Published Application No. 20060156437.

Filtered broth was desalted and buffer-exchanged into 20 mM sodium acetate-150 mM NaCl pH 5.0 using a HIPREP® 26/10 Desalting Column according to the manufacturer's instructions. Protein concentration was determined using a Microplate BCA™ Protein Assay Kit in which bovine serum albumin was used as a protein standard.

Example 24 Preparation of Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 Cel6A Cellobiohydrolase II (CBHII)

Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II (SEQ ID NO: 33 [DNA sequence] and SEQ ID NO: 34 [deduced amino acid sequence]) was recombinantly prepared according to WO 2006/074435 using Trichoderma reesei as a host.

Culture filtrate was desalted and buffer exchanged in 20 mM Tris-150 mM sodium chloride pH 8.5 using an ECONO-PAC® 10-DG desalting column according to the manufacturer's instructions. Protein concentration was determined using a Microplate BCA™ Protein Assay Kit in which bovine serum albumin was used as a protein standard.

Example 25 Effect of Trichoderma reesei Cel6A Cellobiohydrolase II or Thielavia terrestris Cel6a Cellobiohydrolase II and Aspergillus aculeatus Xylanase on the Hydrolysis of PCS by a Trichoderma reesei Cellulase Mixture

To test synergy between other Cel6A cellobiohydrolase II proteins and Aspergillus aculeatus xylanase, a PCS hydrolysis assay was performed (as described in Example 10) with a 10% addition to the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition (2 mg per g of cellulose total loading) of either T. reesei CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II or T. terrestris CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II alone, or in combination with the A. aculeatus xylanase (2 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g cellulose, 0.2 mg of the T. reesei CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II or T. terrestris CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II per g cellulose; or 2 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g cellulose, 0.2 mg of the T. reesei CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II, 0.2 mg of the A. aculeatus xylanase per g cellulose; or 2 mg of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition per g cellulose, 0.2 mg of the T. terrestris CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II per g cellulose, 0.2 mg of the A. aculeatus xylanase per g cellulose).

As shown in FIG. 5, addition of T. reesei CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II, T. terrestris CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II, or A. aculeatus xylanase demonstrated a 1.2%, 2.5%, or 11.0% improvement of the 72 hour hydrolysis yield, respectively. Addition of T. reesei CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II and A. aculeatus xylanase or T. terrestris CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II and A. aculeatus xylanase resulted in a 16% and 18% improvement of the 72 hour hydrolysis yield, respectively. The addition of both T. reesei CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II and A. aculeatus xylanase or T. terrestris CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II and A. aculeatus xylanase resulted in a greater enhancement to conversion than would be expected if the enhancements were additive [T. reesei CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II and A. aculeatus xylanase 16% vs. 12.2% (1.2%+11.0%); T. terrestris CEL6 cellobiohydrolase II and A. aculeatus xylanase 18% vs 13.5% (2.5%+11.0%)], indicating a synergistic enhancement to the PCS hydrolysis activity of the T. reesei cellulolytic protein composition.

Deposit of Biological Material

The following biological materials have been deposited under the terms of the Budapest Treaty with the Agricultural Research Service Patent Culture Collection (NRRL), Northern Regional Research Center, 1815 University Street, Peoria, Ill., 61604, USA, and given the following accession numbers:

Deposit Accession Number Date of Deposit E. coli pSMai182 NRRL B-50059 Sep. 6, 2007 E. coli (pMMar26) NRRL B-50266 Mar. 13, 2009

The strains have been deposited under conditions that assure that access to the cultures will be available during the pendency of this patent application to one determined by foreign patent laws to be entitled thereto. The deposits represent substantially pure cultures of the deposited strains. The deposits are vailable as required by foreign patent laws in countries wherein counterparts of the subject application, or its progeny are filed. However, it should be understood that the availability of a deposit does not constitute a license to practice the subject invention in derogation of patent rights granted by governmental action.

The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific aspects herein disclosed, since these aspects are intended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent aspects are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. In the case of conflict, the present disclosure including definitions will control. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for degrading a cellulosic material, comprising: treating the cellulosic material with an enzyme composition comprising a CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more cellulolytic enzymes selected from the group consisting of an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, and a beta-glucosidase, wherein one or both of the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity and the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity are foreign to the one or more cellulolytic enzymes, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprising an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity of at least 90% to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 30; (b) a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under very high stringency conditions with the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29 or the full-length complement thereof, wherein the very high stringency conditions are defined as prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 μg/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 50% formamide for 12 to 24 hours and washing three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 70° C.; (c) a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence having a sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29 of at least 90%; and (d) a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprising the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 30; and wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having xylanase activity comprising an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity of at least 90% to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 70; (b) a polypeptide having xylanase activity encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under very high stringency conditions with the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69 or the full-length complement thereof, wherein the very high stringency conditions are defined as prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 μg/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 50% formamide for 12 to 24 hours and washing three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 70° C.; (c) a polypeptide having xylanase activity encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence having a sequence identity of at least 90% to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69; and (d) a polypeptide having xylanase activity comprising the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 70. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more cellulolytic enzymes comprise a beta-glucosidase, a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I (CEL7A), a Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II (CEL6A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (CEL7B).
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more cellulolytic enzymes further comprise one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase II (CEL5A), a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase V (CEL45A), and a Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase III (CEL12A).
 4. The method of claim 1, which further comprises a GH61 polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the cellulolytic enzymes, the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, and/or the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity are in the form of a fermentation broth with or without cells.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity has at least 96% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 30. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity has at least 97% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 30. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity has at least 98% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 30. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity has at least 99% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 30. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under very high stringency conditions with the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29 or the full-length complement thereof, wherein the very high stringency conditions are defined as prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 μg/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 50% formamide for 12 to 24 hours and washing three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 70° C.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 96% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 29. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 97% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 29. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 98% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 29. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity is encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 99% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 29. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 30. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the CEL6 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 30. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity has at least 96% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 70. 18. method of claim 17, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity has at least 97% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 70. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity has at least 98% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 70. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity has at least 99% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 70. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under very high stringency conditions with the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69 or the full-length complement thereof, wherein the very high stringency conditions are defined as prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 μg/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 50% formamide for 12 to 24 hours and washing three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 70° C.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 95% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 69. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 96% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 69. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 97% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 69. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 98% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 69. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity is encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 99% sequence identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 69. 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity comprises the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 70. 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the GH10 polypeptide having xylanase activity consists of the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 70. 29. The method of claim 1, further comprising recovering the degraded cellulosic material.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the degraded cellulosic material is a sugar.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the sugar is selected from the group consisting of glucose, xylose, mannose, galactose, and arabinose. 